Youth Congress workers detained after shirtless protest at India AI Impact Summit

According to reports, around 10 individuals, claiming to be Youth Congress members, entered the venue using QR-coded entry passes and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Hall No. 5.

Some protesters removed their T-shirts and displayed messages related to the India–US trade deal and the Epstein files, triggering a brief commotion.

“Four to five people have been taken into custody,” a senior police officer told the media, adding that the group was immediately removed from the venue and taken to Tilak Marg police station for questioning.

Officials said the detained individuals allegedly engaged in a scuffle with security personnel deployed at the summit.

Those detained include Youth Congress leaders from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and other states.

Police confirmed that all arrested protesters will be produced before the duty magistrate at Patiala House Court.

Delhi Police said strict legal action would be initiated in the case and that security inside the summit halls has been further tightened to prevent any breach of law and order.

“No one will be allowed to disrupt an international event of this nature,” a police official said.

The protest drew sharp condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused the Congress of deliberately attempting to embarrass India while global leaders, CEOs, and foreign delegates were in attendance.

Defending the detained workers, Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib said the protest was a “peaceful democratic expression” and reflected public anger over unemployment and foreign trade policies.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on February 16, is being held from February 16 to 20 and has drawn heads of state, global AI researchers, technology executives, and policymakers from across the world.