Youth Cong workers stage topless protest at India AI Summit, raise anti-Modi slogans over US trade deal, detained

The protest was witnessed during the second-last day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

 Indian Youth Congress workers on Friday staged a topless protest and chanted anti-Modi slogans at Bharat Mandapam. The protest intended against recent Indian-US trade deal. 

The protest was witnessed during the second-last day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has said that it is taking legal action in connection with the protest by the Indian Youth Congress. As per Delhi Police, four to five people have been detained. Authorities are checking whether they entered with a pass or a QR code.

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the protest, calling Congress party a "the anti-National Congress." He also described the protest as a "characterless, brainless, emotionless protest."

Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Congress has once again proven that for them, AI isn't Ambitious India, Artificial Intelligence, Aspirational India. For them, AI is anti-India. This isn't the INC, this is the ANC, the anti-National Congress. The AI ​​Summit is being praised worldwide. But at Rahul Gandhi's behest, the Congress party is protesting; it is a characterless, brainless, emotionless protest. This isn't a protest against the BJP, it's not a protest against the PM, it's a protest against India's achievements."

On the other hand, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress, Uday Bhanu Chib said, voice can be raised against the “Compromised PM.”

Uday Bhanu said, "The truth cannot be suppressed behind the glittering stage of the AI Summit. When corporate interests appear to override national interests and softness in foreign policy is clearly visible, then protest becomes a duty. 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 dignity." 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticised the trade deal, saying Indian farmers are being betrayed in the name of this agreement and said the issue is linked to the future of the country’s agriculture.