Youth Congress Protest Disrupts India AI Summit; 10 Detained

The India AI Impact Summit 2026, a significant global gathering hosted by the Government of India in New Delhi, witnessed a major disruption on its fifth day, February 20, 2026, when members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) staged a shirtless protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue. Around ten Youth Congress members were detained by Delhi Police for their demonstration inside an exhibition hall, specifically Hall No. 5, during the high-profile event. The protestors raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being 'compromised,' and voiced strong opposition to an India-US trade deal. They reportedly marched inside the hall carrying or wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with images of Prime Minister Modi and former US President Donald Trump, along with slogans like 'India-US Trade Deal,' 'Epstein Files,' and 'PM is compromised.' The protest, which lasted only a few minutes, caused a brief commotion and caught many delegates and visitors by surprise. Security personnel swiftly intervened, removing the protestors who were then taken to Tilak Marg police station, where legal action is being initiated against them. While the protestors did not carry any party flags, one individual claimed affiliation with the Indian Youth Congress. Subsequently, the Indian Youth Congress officially stated on X that its workers were protesting against a 'compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit.' They alleged that the trade deal with the US would harm Indian farmers and benefit only America. The protest drew immediate and strong condemnation from ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal slammed the protest as 'Congress arrogance & frustration' and accused the party of attempting to humiliate India on a global stage. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called the act 'treason' and 'anti-India,' questioning the Congress leadership's priorities. BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed these sentiments, labeling the protest as 'characterless, brainless, and emotionless' and asserting that for Congress, 'AI' stood for 'Anti-India,' rather than 'Ambitious India' or 'Artificial Intelligence.' The BJP alleged that the protest was a deliberate attempt to disrupt an international event and tarnish India's image. The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from February 16 to 20, 2026, was envisioned as the first major global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. It brought together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, startups, civil society, and international organizations from India and abroad to shape the future of inclusive and impactful AI. Day 5, the day of the protest, focused on global governance and multilateral cooperation, with the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Council Meeting also taking place. During the summit, India formally signed the agreement to join Pax Silica, a US-led coalition aimed at building a resilient supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence. Despite the disruption, the summit continued without further major incidents, though security was heightened. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, while acknowledging 'some glitches,' praised the overall conduct and international attendance of the summit, highlighting the positive message from world leaders about integrated AI development. The incident highlighted the ongoing political tensions in India, even amidst efforts to showcase the country's technological leadership on a global platform.

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