BJP Hits Roads, Demands Rahul Gandhi Apology After AI Summit Disruption in Delhi

The Youth Congress protest at the AI Summit 2026 in Delhi has sparked a wider political clash, with BJP units across several states mounting counter-demonstrations and police detaining multiple workers from both sides amid tight security arrangements.

On 21 February, the BJP staged protests in Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the Congress of disrupting the AI Summit and demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi as tensions between the two parties spread beyond the summit venue.

AI Summit protests and Youth Congress protest

Delhi saw BJP Yuva Morcha workers gather outside the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road, waving placards and posters that called for Rahul Gandhi to apologise, while Delhi Police put up two layers of barricades, anticipating friction between rival groups during the counter-protest.

Despite the security setup, agitated BJP workers pushed past the barricades, leading to a brief stand-off with Delhi Police, after which several protesters were detained; Delhi BJP President Vinod Sachdeva and MP Manoj Tiwari were among the senior leaders present at the demonstration site.

AI Summit protests and BJP response

The confrontation began a day earlier, on 20 February, when Youth Congress workers demonstrated at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit 2026, opposing the India-US trade deal, taking off their T-shirts and shouting slogans of "PM is compromised" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in front of delegates.

According to the organisers, representatives from more than 80 countries were attending the AI Summit, and BJP leaders later argued that the protest was staged to embarrass India on an international platform by disrupting proceedings that had drawn praise for the country’s efforts in artificial intelligence.

AI Summit protests and Manoj Tiwari’s remarks

Speaking to reporters during the Delhi protest, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari called the Congress action anti-national and asserted that people would not forgive the party, alleging that Congress tried to malign the AI Summit by bringing "hired goons" and that the agitation aimed to damage India’s global image.

Manoj Tiwari further alleged that the incident amounted to treason in his view, claimed that the public understood the intent behind the disruption, and maintained that voters would give a political response to what BJP leaders described as an insult to India before visiting international delegations.

AI Summit protests and court action

On 21 February, Delhi Police produced four arrested Youth Congress workers before Patiala House Court; those named were Youth Congress Secretary Krishna Hari, Bihar State Secretary Kundan Yadav, Uttar Pradesh State Vice President Ajay Kumar and National Coordinator Narasimha Yadav, all booked in connection with the AI Summit protest.

During the hearing, the defence contended that the four Youth Congress functionaries had demonstrated peacefully at the AI Summit, argued they had not hurt anyone or caused physical damage, and insisted they were exercising their right to protest against the India-US trade deal.

With protests, counter-protests and court proceedings unfolding within two days of the AI Summit disruption, both BJP and Congress continue to trade charges over the slogans, security breach and alleged attempt to tarnish India’s image, while the legal process for the four detained Youth Congress leaders moves ahead in Delhi.