Indian Youth Congress: From 1978 Flight Hijacking to 2026 AI Summit Protest

The Indian Youth Congress (IYC), founded in 1960 as the youth wing of the Indian National Congress, has evolved from a powerful force during the Emergency, known for enforcing Sanjay Gandhi's policies, to a diminished organization facing challenges like leadership issues and defections. Notable for a 1978 flight hijacking by members posing as IYC affiliates, the group recently gained attention when protesters disrupted the 2026 India AI Impact Summit opposing the India-US trade deal, reflecting its continued, though transformed, activism.