BJP, Congress Workers Clash Outside Rahul Gandhi’s Residence After AI Summit Protest Row

• BJP and Congress workers clashed in Delhi following the AI Summit protest controversy.
• Stone-pelting reported as BJP youth wing demonstrated outside Rahul Gandhi's residence.
• Four Youth Congress workers sent to five-day police custody in related case.

Political tensions in Delhi escalated on Friday as workers from the BJP and Congress clashed during a protest linked to the disruption at the India AI Impact Summit.

The confrontation unfolded outside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's residence, where BJP youth wing members gathered to condemn the Youth Congress protest at Bharat Mandapam.

Stone-Pelting During Protest

The demonstration soon turned tense, with workers from both sides engaging in heated arguments that escalated into stone-pelting. Police teams were deployed to the area to control the situation and prevent further violence.

The BJP accused the Congress of attempting to tarnish India's global image by disrupting the government's flagship AI summit. The protest outside Rahul Gandhi's residence was organised hours after Youth Congress workers allegedly entered the summit venue and staged a controversial demonstration.

Police intervened after:

• BJP youth workers assembled near Rahul Gandhi's residence
• Congress supporters reached the spot, leading to confrontation
• Stone-pelting began, prompting security deployment
• Eknath Shinde Targets Congress

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticised the Youth Congress protest, calling it an attempt to defame India during an international event. In a social media post, he said the disruption at Bharat Mandapam was an "uncivilised disturbance" and demanded an apology from the Congress.

Shinde also questioned the manner of protest against the India-US agreement, stating that political opposition should be expressed ideologically rather than through disruption at global platforms.

Court Sends Protesters To Custody

The clash comes as a Delhi court sent four Indian Youth Congress workers arrested in connection with the AI Summit protest to five-day police custody. Judicial Magistrate Ravi allowed the Delhi Police's plea seeking custodial interrogation, with a detailed order awaited.

The arrested individuals include Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narasimha Yadav, who were detained following the demonstration at Bharat Mandapam.

Police And Defence Arguments

Delhi Police told the court that the accused raised objectionable slogans and wore T-shirts with messages against the Prime Minister. Investigators said mobile phones needed to be recovered and funding sources traced to establish the alleged conspiracy.

The defence argued that the protesters were exercising their democratic right and described the arrests as politically motivated. Counsel also stated that peaceful protest should not be criminalised, maintaining that the incident did not justify custodial interrogation.