A Delhi court recently condemned four members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) for their shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in Bharat Mandapam. The court described their actions not as an act of dissent but as a serious breach of public order that could harm India’s reputation with foreign officials.
On February 20, during the highly publicized AI Summit, the IYC activists disrupted the event by removing their shirts to reveal T-shirts with messages like “PM is compromised.” They shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticized the India-US trade deal.
Judicial Magistrate Ravi from the Patiala House Courts emphasized that the protest was a planned intrusion into a secure venue. The court noted that the activists wore provocative T-shirts and engaged in actions that injured police officers. The magistrate stated that such behavior goes beyond acceptable protest and poses a threat to both the event and India’s diplomatic stance globally.
The court rejected bail for the four accused—Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav—indicating concerns about evidence tampering. Their arrest reflects a broader trend of protest tactics in India, particularly influenced by global movements. For instance, activists pointed to recent protests in Nepal, where a Gen Z movement led to significant political changes.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions in Indian politics, particularly around significant international events. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, many Indians feel that protests are becoming more aggressive, with incidents like this sparking discussions on how dissent is expressed in the country.
As social media evolves, public reactions to such events often trend rapidly online, with people sharing their perspectives and organizing collective responses. This protest, despite being condemned, reflects a generation’s frustration over policies and governance, pushing boundaries in their quest to be heard.
These developments raise questions about the balance between free speech and public order, a conversation that continues in both India and around the world.
For further insights on the impact of protests in democratic societies, you can refer to Pew Research.
