Indian Youth Congress Shirtless Protest at AI Summit Sparks Arrests and Mixed Reactions

During the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, seven Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members staged a shirtless protest against the India-US trade deal, leading to their arrests and that of IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib, accused by Delhi Police of conspiracy. The protest drew mixed reactions: over 270 retired officials condemned it as a betrayal of national dignity, while others defended the right to peaceful protest and criticized the police response. Additionally, social media influencers alleged Congress offered payments to discredit the summit, claims the party denies.