The political temperature rose sharply in Delhi and Chandigarh after posters featuring Mahatma Gandhi with the caption “Shirtless Congressi” appeared during demonstrations linked to the recent Youth congress protest at the AI Summit in the national capital.
The controversy deepened as members of the Indian Youth Congress staged coordinated rallies across multiple cities, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its student wing launched counter-protests in response. Clashes were also reported in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, adding to the intensifying political confrontation.
How the AI Summit Protest Triggered the Row
The uproar began a day earlier when shirtless Youth Congress activists stormed into a hall at the AI Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in central Delhi. The international conference was attended by leading technology CEOs and foreign dignitaries.
The protest was directed against the US–India trade agreement, which Congress leaders claim compromises farmers’ interests. The dramatic demonstration quickly went viral, triggering criticism from ruling party leaders and NDA allies.
In response, posters depicting Mahatma Gandhi alongside the phrase “Shirtless Congressi” surfaced in parts of Delhi and near the Congress headquarters, further fueling political tensions.
Protests in Delhi and Chandigarh Turn Chaotic
The Indian Youth Congress continued its demonstrations in Delhi and Chandigarh, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Protesters repeated the allegation that the “PM is compromised,” a charge previously voiced by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament.
Security personnel briefly clashed with demonstrators in Chandigarh, and police used water cannons to disperse crowds as tensions escalated.
Meanwhile, similar protests were reported in Delhi, where Youth Congress workers gathered near key locations, keeping the issue in the spotlight.
Clashes Reported in Indore
Around 1,000 kilometers away in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, members of the Youth Congress reportedly clashed with workers from the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP’s youth wing.
The situation reportedly turned tense as both sides engaged in stone-pelting and scuffles. Additional police forces were deployed to control the situation.
The Youth Congress alleged on social media that BJP workers attacked the Congress office in Indore and claimed that district president Vipin Wankhede was injured during the confrontation.
BJP and Allies Launch Counter-Protests
In response to the shirtless protest at the AI Summit, BJYM leaders organized counter-demonstrations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. In Firozabad, BJP workers burned an effigy of Rahul Gandhi and raised slogans against the opposition.
Black flags were also shown to Rahul Gandhi during a court appearance related to a defamation case from 2014.
Senior BJP leader Satish Diwakar stated that the actions of the Youth Congress at an international event damaged India’s global image.
Separately, BJP supporters staged protests outside the Congress office on Akbar Road in Delhi.
| Location | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Youth Congress protest; Gandhi-themed posters | Water cannons used; BJP counter-protest |
| Chandigarh | Anti-Modi slogans; clashes with security | Police dispersed protesters |
| Indore | Clashes between Youth Congress and BJYM | Stone-pelting; injuries reported |
| Uttar Pradesh | BJP counter-protests; effigy burning | Black flags shown to Rahul Gandhi |
Political Reactions Across Parties
The controversy has drawn reactions from leaders across the political spectrum.
Akhilesh Yadav, chief of the Samajwadi Party, advised against protests that could diminish India’s image in front of foreign delegates and international audiences.
Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), described the Youth Congress demonstration at the AI Summit as “utterly disgraceful” and “reprehensible.”
Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticized Congress sharply, demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi and accusing the party of harming national interests.
Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh also commented that turning a global technology event into a political spectacle could adversely affect India’s international reputation.
Political Optics and the Road Ahead
The row over the “shirtless” protest has evolved beyond a single demonstration into a broader political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP. With Gandhi-themed posters, street clashes, and counter-protests unfolding across cities, the issue has taken on symbolic and ideological dimensions.
As both parties continue to trade allegations, the episode highlights the increasingly charged nature of political protests in India — especially when they intersect with high-profile international events.
Whether the controversy subsides or escalates further may depend on how both sides navigate the narrative in the coming days.
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