3 min readNew DelhiFeb 22, 2026 09:19 PM IST
The Delhi unit of the Congress party on Sunday claimed that its workers are being detained and questioned “illegally” after some members of the Youth Congress gathered for a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit on Friday.
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Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav has alleged that the police have picked up workers from their homes who were not even involved in the incident. Terming the action “illegal and condemnable”, Yadav said some workers have been detained at Tilak Marg police station for questioning since Saturday night.
On Sunday, Yadav also met the Station House Officer of the Tilak Marg police station and sought the release of Vineet Yadav, who had contested the 2025 Assembly election from Rajinder Nagar, and Youth Congress worker Nitin Sharma — who, according to the party, were picked up from their homes on Saturday night. Yadav also alleged that the two were not provided food and that their legal team has requested the police to arrange meals for them.
On Sunday, party workers also gathered outside the police station demanding their release.
Yadav said the party respects the judicial process, but has warned that workers would “take to the streets” if the alleged harassment continues. He also claimed the action was being carried out on the directions of the Union Home Ministry.
The Delhi Police, however, has so far not made any remark on the allegation being levelled by the party.
The developments come after members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a “shirtless protest” inside Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Police sources claimed that around a dozen protesters had allegedly planned to carry black umbrellas bearing objectionable stickers of the Prime Minister initially, but dropped the idea fearing security checks. Instead, they entered wearing jackets over T-shirts with slogans printed on them and later removed them and raised slogans.
Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla had earlier told The Indian Express that as the protest began, police and paramilitary personnel intervened, following which some fled, while others were detained. Four protesters — Krishna Hari, Ajay Kumar Sainthwar, Narasimha Yadav and Kundan Yadav — were taken to Mandir Marg police station for questioning, and at least six more were picked up later, sources said.
The incident has triggered a political war of words, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Congress of tarnishing India’s global image during an international event, while the latter maintained that the protest was a democratic expression.
A day later, posters featuring photos of Mahatma Gandhi and slogans reading ‘Shirtless congressi ladenge, jeetenge’ were put up outside the Indian Youth Congress office, defending the political messaging around the demonstration.
