A major political controversy has erupted following a shirtless protest by Indian Youth Congress activists during the prestigious AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event, which saw participation from global delegates and technology experts, was disrupted on Friday when four activists stripped off their shirts to stage a demonstration. The Delhi Police acted swiftly, arresting the individuals involved and initiating a high-level investigation into what they describe as a potential larger conspiracy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has directly linked the incident to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, citing photographic evidence of one of the key organizers with him.
Details of the Incident at Bharat Mandapam
According to official reports, the four activists managed to enter the high-security venue of Bharat Mandapam by registering as regular participants, while once inside the summit area, where discussions on Artificial Intelligence were underway, they removed their shirts and began shouting slogans. Eyewitnesses stated that the protesters had worn their t-shirts inside out to evade initial detection during security screenings, while the sudden demonstration caused a brief period of chaos and discomfort among the international delegates present. Security personnel immediately intervened, detaining the individuals and handing them over to the Delhi Police for further legal action.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
The Delhi Police have identified the four arrested individuals as Krishna Hari (National Secretary, Youth Congress, Bihar), Kundan Yadav (State Secretary, Bihar), Ajay Kumar (State Vice President, Uttar Pradesh), and Narasimha Yadav (National Coordinator, Telangana). An FIR has been registered under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties and physical altercation with police personnel. The accused are scheduled to be produced before the Patiala House Court today. Investigators are currently probing the communication logs of the arrested individuals to determine the chain of command and the planning phase of the protest.
BJP Allegations and the Viral Photograph
In a press conference held shortly after the incident, BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra released a photograph showing Narasimha Yadav, one of the arrested coordinators, shaking hands with Rahul Gandhi. The BJP claims the photo, likely taken during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, proves a direct link between the protesters and the top Congress leadership. Patra alleged that the conspiracy was hatched at Rahul Gandhi's residence in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, while he characterized the act as a deliberate attempt to embarrass India on a global platform while world leaders were praising the country's technological strides. The BJP spokesperson used the phrase "Topless, Brainless, and Shameless" to describe the Congress party's conduct.
Impact on Global Image and Public Reaction
The BJP has emphasized that the AI Impact Summit wasn't a political event but a global gathering of significant importance for India's digital future. According to party officials, such disruptions send a negative signal to international investors and partners, while sambit Patra noted that there is widespread anger among the youth, particularly Gen-Z, over the nature of the protest. The BJP further accused Rahul Gandhi of consistently attempting to tarnish India's reputation abroad, drawing parallels to his previous statements on national security issues like the Balakot air strikes. The party maintained that the protest was an insult to the festive atmosphere of the summit where India's AI capabilities were being celebrated.
Security Review and Ongoing Investigation
The breach of decorum at a venue like Bharat Mandapam has prompted a review of security protocols for international summits, while delhi Police sources indicate that they're investigating whether the protesters received any external funding or logistical support to carry out the demonstration. While the Youth Congress has historically engaged in various forms of protest, the timing and location of this specific act have drawn intense scrutiny. The police are looking into the 'larger conspiracy' angle to see if more individuals were involved in the planning. As of now, the Congress party has not issued a detailed rebuttal to the specific allegations regarding the meeting at Gandhi's residence, though supporters have termed the protest a symbolic gesture against unemployment.