Indian Youth Congress Shirtless Protest at AI Summit Sparks Political Controversy and Arrests

On February 20, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers staged a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, opposing the India-US trade deal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protest, held at an international event attended by global leaders, drew widespread criticism from the BJP, senior Congress leaders, opposition allies, and academicians, who cited concerns over national image and decorum. Delhi Police arrested five protesters and are investigating a possible larger conspiracy. Congress defended the protest as democratic dissent, while some party veterans called for discipline at global forums. The incident has caused political tensions within the opposition and sparked debates on protest methods and national representation.