At the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, the Indian Youth Congress staged a shirtless protest that has grabbed headlines. Four protesters were arrested as they disrupted the event with anti-government slogans. This incident highlights the political landscape in India during a time of significant global focus on technology and innovation.
The protest took place on February 20, 2026, on the fifth day of the summit. Protesters entered the venue by registering online and, after entering, they quickly revealed their T-shirts to voice their discontent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. According to police sources, this appeared to be a planned demonstration, with protesters concealing their shirts until the opportune moment.
This was not just a spur-of-the-moment act. The Delhi Police are treating the situation seriously and have launched an investigation into a potential conspiracy behind the protest. The protesters had originally planned to use black umbrellas to shield themselves, but shifted to T-shirts out of concern for being caught. Authorities are looking into where these shirts were printed and how the event was organized.
The Indian Youth Congress asserted that their protest was against a “compromised Prime Minister” at a time when India is being showcased on an international platform. Uday Bhanu Chib, the National President, stated that their actions are a stand for the youth and the Constitution, insisting that they will not be silenced.
Reactions from attendees of the summit were mixed. Some felt that protests like this give India a poor image, especially when the country is hosting a global event. Witnesses expressed disappointment, believing this wasn’t the right forum for such a demonstration.
The incident drew strong criticism from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Leaders branded the protest as a misguided attempt to undermine India’s achievements on a global stage. Piyush Goyal, a high-ranking BJP official, called it “characterless” and stressed that protests should not diminish India’s international standing. He and other BJP representatives argued that the Congress party, through its actions, is prioritizing disruption over constructive dialogue.
This protest intertwines with broader themes of political dissent in India. While public demonstration is a fundamental right, how and where these expressions occur can often spark debate about their appropriateness and impact. The Indian political scene is marked by heated exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition, each leveraging current events to bolster their narrative.
Historically, protests in India have played a significant role in shaping public debate and policy. From the independence movement to contemporary protests against government policies, each event echoes the voices of the populace. The Youth Congress’s actions at the AI Summit remind us that dissent, even when controversial, continues to be a powerful tool in shaping the dialogue around governance in India today.
As the world watches India’s journey in technology, the conduct of political parties will be scrutinized. The repercussions of such protests can have lasting effects, influencing public perception and potentially impacting future political landscapes.
For further insights into the implications of protests on governance, see the [Rajarshi Das’s report on democracy and dissent](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/21/indias-democracy-protests-human-rights-2021).
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