Who Is Youth Congress Leader Narsimha? Detained At Bharat Mandapam For Planning Protest At India AI Summit

The India AI Summit faced protests by the Indian Youth Congress, including the detention of Narsimha, amid debates over data policy and government image. Security intervened at Bharat Mandapam as party leaders criticised leadership and messaging at the event.

Police detained India Youth Congress National Coordinator Narsimha and several workers during a protest at Bharat Mandapam, as a political row grew over the India AI Summit and the government's handling of artificial intelligence policy and image abroad.

The Indian Youth Congress said its members gathered to oppose what they called a compromised leadership. The group alleged that the Prime Minister had weakened national interests at an international technology meet, and accused the government of using the India AI Summit for image-building instead of serious engagement.

India AI Summit protest and police response

In an earlier statement, the Indian Youth Congress claimed its cadre were demonstrating against a "compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the Al Summit." The organisation said, "Indian Youth Congress workers raised their voice and protested against the compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the Al Summit," before Delhi Police moved in and detained several participants.

Senior Delhi Police officer Devesh Mahla said another related incident occurred around 12:30 pm involving Youth Congress workers protesting 'shirtless' inside the India AI Summit venue. According to Mahla, the group had completed online registration for the event and entered the complex wearing sweaters and jackets over what officials described as objectionable T-shirts.

Mahla stated that near Hall Number 5, one participant removed outer clothing and waved the T-shirt during the India AI Summit protest. Police then intervened, took the individuals into custody and began verifying their identities. The Additional Commissioner said appropriate legal action was underway against those involved in the shirtless demonstration.

Political reactions around India AI Summit

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the India AI Summit protest, describing the Congress action as a stunt by party workers. BJP leaders argued that such demonstrations at a technology-focused gathering distracted from discussions on innovation and global cooperation in artificial intelligence, which the government says it wants to highlight through the summit.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urged Congress to treat the India AI Summit as an issue above party rivalry. Vaishnaw said, "No one can explain it to them (protestors). That is their job. They must have been very scared about how such a good, such a grand AI summit took place."

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the India AI Summit, Vaishnaw added, "Secondly, when India is moving forward rapidly, as you heard the voice of the youth, people from all parts of the country are basically looking at this as a new opportunity for them, and this is the time when we should keep the summit above politics. We should make sure that everybody supports, everybody cooperates with this effort; only then can the country grow forward. If Congress remains in that mindset where they have to obstruct everything, then may God save them."

The demonstrations followed comments by Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, who targeted the government over how the India AI Summit was organised. Gandhi said, "Instead of leveraging India's talent and data, the Al summit is a disorganised PR spectacle -Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased." The clash of statements highlighted widening disagreement over both data policy and the political messaging around the summit.