Main organiser of 'naked protest' posing with Rahul Gandhi: BJP bashes Congress over shirtless stir at AI summit

• BJP condemned Congress youth's shirtless protest at AI summit
• Protesters raised slogans against PM Modi, 10 detained by police
• BJP claims protest aimed to embarrass India on global stage

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BJP on Friday tore into the Congress after its youth leaders staged a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact summit in New Delhi, strongly condemning the incident for bringing "national shame" to the country.

The reaction came after a group of India Youth Congress (IYC) workers staged a brief protest at an exhibition hall of the summit and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before being whisked away by the security personnel.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted a picture of one of the main organisers behind the protest alongside Rahul Gandhi and criticised the party's attempts to "damage India’s image" globally.

Narsimha Yadav, one of the main organisers of today’s naked protest at the AI Summit, has pictures with Rahul Gandhi.

This should leave no doubt that the disruption was not incidental, it was orchestrated. Such theatrics on an international stage only damage India’s image and… pic.twitter.com/rlnAm2yZ20 — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 20, 2026

"Narsimha Yadav, one of the main organisers of today’s naked protest at the AI Summit, has pictures with Rahul Gandhi. This should leave no doubt that the disruption was not incidental, it was orchestrated. Such theatrics on an international stage only damage India’s image and undermine the very platform meant to showcase the country’s technological leadership. Political disagreements are part of democracy. Embarrassing India before the world is not," Malviya said.

Earlier, BJP had denounced the protest in a post on X, saying that such conduct only serves the interests of those who "wish to see India falter."

"National Shame. At a time when India is hosting a prestigious global AI Summit, showcasing its innovation and leadership in technology, the Congress party chose disruption over dignity. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress workers went topless and created a ruckus at the venue, an act clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage."

#WATCH | Delhi: Indian Youth Congress workers staged a topless protest and chanted anti-Modi slogans at Bharat Mandapam (Source: Indian Youth Congress) pic.twitter.com/WCZgCMwkFZ — ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2026

"When the nation is striving to position itself as a global technology powerhouse, such conduct only serves the interests of those who wish to see India falter. Political opposition is a democratic right, but sabotaging India’s global image is not," it said, adding that "India deserves better".

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal said that the protest reflects Congress's "frustration and arrogance".

"This is CONGRESS ARROGANCE & FRUSTRATION on display! So, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, humiliating India to target the Government is your idea of opposition! While you want to CHOKE India's development by peddling lies about the recent trade deals, your foot soldiers are marching shirtless at the prestigious AI Summit, attempting to embarrass 140 crore Indians globally. This disruption strategy only exposes your and your party’s lack of vision for India," Goyal said on X.

A senior police officer told PTI that around 10 people were detained when they were protesting at the AI Summit.

The protesters marched inside Hall No 5, wearing or holding white T-shirts with images of Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump printed on them along with slogans such as "India US Trade Deal", "Epstein Files" and "PM is compromised", soon resulting in a commotion.

A Delhi Police personnel on duty said they are going to heighten security inside the halls after the "unfortunate episode".