Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s appearance alongside Narsimha Yadav, who is alleged to have organised a controversial “naked protest” during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, has intensified an already charged political confrontation between Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.The sighting on Friday added a new dimension to a dispute that began when members of the Indian Youth Congress disrupted proceedings at the high-profile global artificial intelligence event in New Delhi. The protest, staged at the Bharat Mandapam convention complex, drew swift condemnation from BJP leaders who accused the opposition party of tarnishing the country’s image before international delegates and technology executives.
Footage circulating on social media showed Youth Congress activists raising slogans inside the venue precincts. Police personnel deployed for summit security intervened and escorted several protesters away. While there were no immediate reports of serious injuries, the optics of the disruption at a flagship technology gathering prompted sharp exchanges across party lines.
Narsimha Yadav, identified by BJP leaders as a key organiser of the demonstration, has been at the centre of allegations that the protest crossed acceptable limits. Party spokespersons from the ruling side described the episode as “deeply inappropriate” and alleged that it was designed to draw attention through shock value. Congress leaders, however, argued that the protest was aimed at highlighting unemployment and concerns over job displacement linked to automation and artificial intelligence.
Rahul Gandhi’s presence with Yadav has now become the focal point of the political argument. BJP figures have claimed that it signals endorsement of the manner in which the protest was conducted. Congress functionaries rejected that interpretation, stating that Gandhi regularly meets party workers and that the interaction should not be construed as approval of every action taken by individual activists.
The India AI Impact Summit was conceived as a platform to showcase the country’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, bringing together policymakers, global technology firms, academic researchers and start-up founders. The government has positioned AI as central to its digital economy strategy, pointing to initiatives in sectors such as health care, agriculture, logistics and governance. Bharat Mandapam, the venue that hosted G20 leaders in 2023, has increasingly been used for international conferences meant to project technological leadership.
Political tensions around public protests at global forums are not new. Governments often emphasise the importance of maintaining decorum at events attended by foreign dignitaries and investors, while opposition parties argue that dissent is a democratic right. The latest episode has revived that debate, particularly as artificial intelligence policy itself remains contested terrain.
Congress has in the past criticised aspects of the government’s technology and data governance framework, including concerns about surveillance, data protection safeguards and the potential social impact of automation. Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly raised issues of economic inequality and job security, warning that rapid technological change without adequate social protection could widen disparities. BJP leaders counter that the government’s digital public infrastructure and start-up ecosystem policies are generating opportunities and placing the country at the forefront of emerging technologies.
Security arrangements at Bharat Mandapam are typically stringent during international summits, involving coordination between Delhi Police and central agencies. Officials familiar with standard protocols say that any breach or disruption within secured perimeters is taken seriously, given the presence of foreign delegations and corporate leaders. Authorities have not publicly detailed the exact sequence of events during the protest, though detentions of Youth Congress workers were reported.
The political fallout has unfolded against a backdrop of intensifying campaign rhetoric ahead of key electoral contests. BJP leaders framed the protest as evidence of what they called “irresponsible opposition politics,” while Congress spokespersons accused the ruling party of inflating the controversy to divert attention from substantive policy debates. Social media platforms amplified both narratives, with edited clips and partisan commentary circulating widely.
Analysts note that the symbolism of artificial intelligence as a national priority heightens sensitivity to disruptions at related events. AI has become intertwined with discussions of economic growth, strategic autonomy and global competitiveness. Government documents have outlined plans to support semiconductor manufacturing, AI research hubs and skilling programmes, while industry bodies have projected significant contributions from AI-driven services to gross domestic product over the coming decade.
At the same time, labour groups and civil society organisations have called for safeguards to address potential job displacement, ethical use of algorithms and transparency in automated decision-making. Protests linked to employment or social justice concerns are therefore likely to intersect with technology policy debates, especially when staged at prominent forums.
Rahul Gandhi has not issued a detailed public statement specifically addressing the allegations surrounding the “naked protest,” though Congress leaders have defended the right to peaceful dissent. BJP representatives have demanded clarification, asserting that leaders should distance themselves from what they describe as indecorous tactics.