Police in New Delhi have arrested four members of the Indian Youth Congress after a protest disrupted the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. According to the Delhi Police, the accused will be produced before the Patiala House Court later today.
Officials said the protest took place around 12:30 pm inside the summit venue. Police have registered a case and said several serious charges are being applied in the FIR. Investigators are also examining whether there was a larger conspiracy behind the incident.
The protest created a brief disturbance at the high-profile technology event, which had drawn participants from across the country and abroad.
Police explained that the protesters had registered online for the summit and entered the venue through the normal QR code scanning process. They were initially dressed in sweaters and jackets, which did not raise suspicion during security checks.
According to Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla, the situation changed near Hall Number 5. One of the protesters removed his outer clothing and began waving a T-shirt that police described as objectionable. Soon after, the group started raising slogans.
Security personnel quickly intervened and detained the individuals at the venue. Police said the action was taken promptly to prevent further disruption to the event.
Authorities identified the four detained persons as Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav. Police said Krishna Hari is the National Secretary of the Youth Congress and Narasimha Yadav serves as a National Coordinator.
Officials added that legal action is underway and further identification of any additional persons involved is continuing. Police sources indicated that investigators are reviewing entry records and other evidence to determine whether more people were part of the plan.
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The protest has triggered political reactions, with the Youth Congress defending its workers. Uday Bhanu Chib, National President of the Indian Youth Congress, said the demonstration reflected the frustration of unemployed youth across the country.
Speaking to reporters, Chib said the protest was meant to highlight concerns about unemployment and government policies. He claimed that many young people feel ignored and that the demonstration was a way to express their anger.
Chib also criticised what he described as government policies related to trade with the United States. He alleged that such agreements could harm farmers and ordinary citizens, while benefiting foreign interests.
Defending the right to protest, he said India is a democracy where peaceful demonstrations are allowed. He further stated that Youth Congress workers would not be intimidated by police action.
At the same time, police officials maintained that the protest violated event rules and security norms. They emphasised that the summit was a high-security gathering and that any disruptive activity inside the venue would attract legal consequences.
All four accused are expected to be produced before the court, where police may seek further custody for questioning. Legal experts say the court will examine the FIR, the nature of the protest, and whether the charges applied by police are justified.
Police have indicated that multiple sections have been invoked, though full details of the FIR have not yet been publicly released. Investigators are also checking whether the protesters coordinated the action in advance or acted spontaneously.
The incident has once again highlighted the tension between protest rights and security restrictions at major government-linked events. While political groups insist on their democratic right to demonstrate, law enforcement agencies stress the need to maintain order at sensitive venues.
Bharat Mandapam has hosted several international conferences and high-profile summits in recent years, and security at the complex is typically tight. Officials said the quick response ensured the AI summit continued without major disruption after the brief protest.
For now, the focus shifts to the court proceedings, which will determine the immediate legal fate of the four Youth Congress members. Further developments are expected once the police complete their preliminary investigation and present their case before the court.
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