The Bharat Mandapam, usually a symbol of India's growing technological reach, became the site of a chaotic political demonstration on February 20. Members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) managed to enter the high-security venue during the India AI Impact Summit to stage a shirtless protest. As the summit reached its penultimate day, these workers began removing their shirts while shouting loud slogans, specifically claiming that the “PM is compromised.”

The unexpected disruption quickly became a flashpoint for massive outrage on social media platforms. Many critics argued that the IYC should not have targeted a global event of such importance for what they described as petty political noise. In response to the breach, the Delhi Police moved in swiftly, detaining several demonstrators shortly after the protest began.

Despite the backlash, the IYC doubled down on their actions. The official IYC social media handles even shared a video of the disruption to amplify their message. Speaking to the press, IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib defended the protest as a necessary act. He stated:

“This anger isn’t just from our Youth Congress members. It’s from every young person who is unemployed today, and every single one of them knows that our Prime Minister is compromised. This trade deal with the US, we all know, will harm our farmers and people. Only America will benefit. It’s our duty to raise their (youth) voice. Our country has democracy. We can hold peaceful protests anywhere.”

In a further conversation with ANI, Uday Bhanu emphasized that the demonstration was a reflection of a larger national sentiment. He told the news agency: "Today, during the AI Summit, Youth Congress comrades raised slogans of ‘PM is Compromised’, clearly conveying the message that the youth of the country will no longer sit quietly." He continued by explaining that "‘PM is Compromised’ is not just a slogan, but the voice of the anger of millions of unemployed youth. PM Modi’s trade deal with America appears to be against the interests of farmers and the common people, with America gaining more benefit from it."

The leadership made it clear that they do not intend to back down, with Bhanu adding that the "Youth Congress will continue to fight for the rights of the country and will keep speaking the truth on every platform."

Before the physical protest took place, the organization had released a statement explaining that their workers "raised their voice and protested against the compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit." Through a series of social media posts, the IYC argued that the reality of the country’s situation cannot be hidden by the expensive aesthetics of the event, noting that "the truth cannot be buried behind the glittering stage of the AI Summit."

The group framed their disruption as a moral obligation, stating: "When corporate interests are placed above the nation's welfare and a softness in foreign policy is clearly visible, then protest becomes a duty!" They further explained that their presence at Bharat Mandapam was intended "so that a voice can be raised against the ‘Compromised PM’ and the Modi government is forced to answer for the compromises being made on the country's honour!"

Crucially, the organization clarified their stance on the technology itself, saying, "We’re not against the AI Summit. We’re against the compromises being made with India’s interests." Invoking historical figures, they added: "If we know how to follow the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi, we also know how to follow the path shown by Sardar Bhagat Singh. We absolutely will not allow the interests of the country’s youth and farmers to be traded away."

According to police reports, approximately 10 IYC workers were detained after they briefly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Exhibition Hall No. 5. Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla noted that the incident occurred around 12:30 pm. Interestingly, the protesters had bypassed security by registering online to attend the summit as regular participants.

Once inside, the protesters marched through the venue wearing or holding white T-shirts. these shirts featured images of Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, alongside slogans like "India-US Trade Deal," "Epstein Files," and "PM is compromised." This led to several heated exchanges with other attendees who were there for the summit.

Security officials are now investigating what they believe could be a larger conspiracy. Sources suggest the group originally planned to enter the building by pasting printed stickers onto black umbrellas. However, they realized the umbrellas would likely be confiscated at the entrance. They shifted their strategy, affixing the stickers to T-shirts instead. Police are currently tracing where these stickers were printed.

A 28-second video of the event was posted by the IYC on X (formerly Twitter) with a caption reiterating their stance: "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!"

Despite the tension, the summit continued with its scheduled agenda, including discussions on the Pax Silica Declaration regarding secure supply chains.

The "topless" nature of the protest drew sharp condemnation from the ruling BJP. Leaders accused the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi of orchestrating the scene to damage India's reputation. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal took to X to voice his frustration, writing: "This is CONGRESS ARROGANCE & FRUSTRATION on display! So, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, humiliating India to target the Government is your idea of opposition!"

The BJP officially labeled the protest a "national shame." In a public statement, the party claimed: “Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress workers went topless and created a ruckus at the venue, an act clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage.”

The party further argued that the protest hurts India's global standing: “When the nation is striving to position itself as a global technology powerhouse, such conduct only serves the interests of those who wish to see India falter. Political opposition is a democratic right, but sabotaging India’s global image is not. India deserves better.”

Goyal concluded his critique by accusing the opposition of trying to stall progress: "While you want to CHOKE India's development by peddling lies about the recent trade deals, your foot soldiers are marching shirtless at the prestigious AI Summit, attempting to embarrass 140 crore Indians globally. This disruption strategy only exposes your and your party's lack of vision for India."

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav echoed these sentiments, calling the event "Absolute shamelessness from Congress!" and adding, "At a time Bharat is taking strides positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, Congress is going all out to embarrass the country. This is not political opposition, this is an attempt at sabotaging India's global image. Despicable."