New Delhi, February 21, 2026 — In a dramatic turn of events that overshadowed the high-profile India AI Impact Summit 2026, four office-bearers of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) were arrested and remanded to five days’ police custody after staging a shirtless protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue on February 20.
The incident occurred around 12:30 PM in Hall No. 5 of the summit, where approximately 10-15 IYC members entered the premises after registering online and using QR codes for access. They initially wore or carried white T-shirts printed with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump, alongside slogans such as “PM is Compromised,” “India-US Trade Deal,” “Epstein Files,” and references to farmer issues.
The protesters removed their shirts (or turned T-shirts inside out), waved them in the air, and raised anti-government slogans, accusing the Modi administration of compromising national interests through a recently discussed or alleged India-US trade framework agreement. They claimed the deal would disproportionately benefit the US while harming Indian farmers, small businesses, and overall national sovereignty. Some reports linked the slogans to broader allegations involving “Epstein files” in reference to controversies surrounding international ties.
Security personnel and event staff swiftly intervened, escorting the group out of the hall amid commotion and heated exchanges with attendees. Delhi Police detained around 10-15 individuals initially, with four key office-bearers formally arrested: Krishna Hari (National Secretary, Bihar), Kundan Yadav (State Secretary, Bihar), Ajay Kumar (State President, Uttar Pradesh), and Narasimha Yadav (from Telangana). Others, including IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib and national general secretary Vikas Chhikara, were among those detained but faced varying actions.
On February 21, a Delhi court (Patiala House) granted police five-day custody of the four arrested leaders after they were produced before the magistrate. Delhi Police, while seeking the remand, described the protest as “inspired by Nepal’s Gen-Z protests” that had recently toppled a government there, alleging it was part of a larger conspiracy to defame India internationally during a global event. Authorities indicated plans to use facial recognition technology to identify and pursue remaining participants.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from February 16-20 at Bharat Mandapam, was a landmark gathering attended by world leaders, tech CEOs (including figures like Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai), researchers, and philanthropists. It focused on AI advancements and reportedly secured over $250 billion in commitments for AI initiatives in India, positioning the country as a global technology powerhouse.
The protest drew widespread condemnation from political opponents. BJP leaders labeled it “undignified,” “shameless,” and an attempt to sabotage India’s global image, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi and accusing the Congress of arrogance and frustration. Other parties, including BSP and YSRCP, echoed criticisms of the “shirtless display” as inappropriate for a prestigious international forum. Nationwide BJP protests followed on February 21, targeting Congress offices and branding the act as “anti-national.”
Defending the action, the Indian Youth Congress and Congress spokespersons described it as a legitimate expression of dissent by “angry unemployed youth” against perceived compromises on national interests, particularly regarding farmers and trade deals. They emphasized that the protest highlighted issues like the alleged US trade framework’s adverse impact and stood for protecting India’s sovereignty. One IYC leader stated, “We will not allow the interests of the country’s youth and farmers to be traded away.”
The episode has sparked intense political debate, with security reportedly tightened at the venue post-incident. Investigations continue into the planning and potential broader conspiracy angles.
This report is compiled from multiple credible sources including Times of India, The Hindu, NDTV, India Today, and others, as of February 21, 2026.
Latest NRI News & Global Updates:
Health, Wellness & Lifestyle for NRIs
https://nriglobe.com/health-wellness/
Latest NRI News & Global Updates
https://nriglobe.com/news/
Business & Finance News for NRIs
https://nriglobe.com/business/
Investment Guides for NRIs
https://nriglobe.com/investment/
Jobs & Career Opportunities for NRIs
https://nriglobe.com/jobs/
