New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday arrested another member of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) in connection with the “shirtless” protest staged inside Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit 2026.
The accused has been identified as Jitendra Yadav, a resident of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. According to police sources, Yadav is allegedly associated with the Youth Congress. A photograph of him alongside Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has surfaced on social media. With this development, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to five. Yadav has been remanded to two days of police custody as investigations continue.
Four Youth Congress Workers in Five-Day Custody
Earlier, a Delhi court granted five days of police custody for four Youth Congress workers accused of staging the protest at the summit venue. In its observations, the court took a stern view of the incident, stating that the act went beyond legitimate dissent and amounted to a “blatant assault on public order” that jeopardised India’s diplomatic image.
Allowing the police’s plea for custodial interrogation, the magistrate noted that the alleged actions “imperil not merely the sanctity of the event but also the Republic’s diplomatic standing before foreign stakeholders,” and therefore could not be shielded under constitutional protections of free expression.
Seeking remand, the police argued that the protest bore similarities to a prior demonstration abroad and alleged it was part of a broader attempt to defame the country internationally. The court observed that custodial interrogation was necessary to probe possible conspiracy angles, funding sources, digital evidence, and potential absconding associates. It also cited concerns over flight risk, noting that some of the accused hailed from remote regions.
Protest at Global AI Conclave
India is currently hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026, described as one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence conclaves. The event, which commenced on February 16, has drawn leading technology executives, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the globe, with packed sessions and significant international participation.
During the summit, around ten Youth Congress activists reportedly entered the venue and staged a shirtless protest, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India–US trade deal. The protesters displayed or wore white T-shirts bearing images of Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans critical of the government.
Political Repercussions
The protest has triggered sharp political reactions. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the act as “anti-national,” accusing the Congress of tarnishing India’s global reputation during a high-profile international event. The Congress, however, defended the demonstration as a legitimate expression of democratic dissent, reflecting the concerns of the youth.
Prime Minister’s Response
Addressing a public gathering in Meerut, Prime Minister Modi criticised the Congress, accusing it of using a global platform for what he described as “dirty and naked politics.” He alleged that certain political parties were unable to accept India’s growing international stature and had sought to undermine a prestigious global event hosted by the country.
Investigations into the incident remain ongoing, with authorities examining possible security lapses and the circumstances that enabled the protesters to access the high-security summit venue.
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