Delhi: A group of Youth Congress workers created disruption at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The protesters removed their shirts inside the venue and shouted slogans against the India-US tariff agreement. Government sources told media that the group arrived fully prepared for the act.
Authorities have already arrested ten individuals involved in the protest. Officials stated that they will trace the remaining participants using facial recognition technology and take action against them. Sources confirmed that investigators have identified four of those detained so far.
Identified Protesters and Entry Details
Police identified Krishna Hari as one of the arrested individuals. He serves as the National Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress. Authorities also named Narasimha Yadav, who works as the organisation’s National Coordinator. Additionally, officers detained Kundan Yadav and Ajay Kumar from the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh units.
The protesters entered the summit venue after registering with event security. They displayed QR codes linked to their entry passes. Once inside, they removed their shirts and moved around the pavilion. Visuals showed them waving t-shirts bearing protest messages targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Piyush Goyal slams Youth Congress’ ‘shirtless’ protest stunt at AI Summit.
On protest by Indian Youth Congress workers at AI Impact Summit, Union Minister Piyush Goyal tweets, “This is CONGRESS ARROGANCE & FRUSTRATION on display! So, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, humiliating India to target the Government is your idea of opposition! While you want to CHOKE India’s… pic.twitter.com/gtCQRIylCu
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2026
BJP Spoke Person Shehzad Poonawala said on X “This is not INC it is ANC Anti national congress These are shirtless protests against BJP But brainless goons against India For Congress AI means Anti India”
This is not INC it is ANC
Anti national congressThese are shirtless protests against BJP
But brainless goons against IndiaFor Congress AI means Anti India pic.twitter.com/3wiKPIGZI8
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) February 20, 2026
Youth Congress Statement and Video
The Indian Youth Congress shared a 28-second video of the protest on X. The post stated, “The truth can’t be suppressed behind the glittering stage of the AI Summit. When corporate interests appear to trump national interests and softness in foreign policy is clearly visible, protest becomes a duty!”
The organisation’s National President spoke to ANI about the demonstration. He said Youth Congress members attended the summit and raised slogans claiming the Prime Minister is compromised. He added that the anger extends beyond party members to unemployed youth across the country.
Political Reactions Intensify
The Congress and other opposition parties have criticised the India-US tariff deal announced by Donald Trump. They argued that the agreement demands substantial reduction or removal of tariffs, especially in sensitive agriculture markets, without adequate return benefits.
Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party strongly criticised the protest. The party already faced scrutiny after Galgotias University displayed a Chinese-made robotic dog as its own in Noida.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal accused senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of arrogance. He said Gandhi humiliated India to target the BJP government. Furthermore, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari described the protest as an anti-national act.
