Congress Faces Backlash as Allies Distance Over Shirtless Demonstration

By Samira Vishwas On Feb 21, 2026

On 20th February at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi. India AI Impact Summit 2026 Was going on. Delegates, investors and tech leaders from all over the world (Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman etc.) were present. Meanwhile, Indian Youth Congress workers protested shirtless against PM Modi and the India-US trade deal, raised slogans and created a ruckus, after which the police arrested 4 leaders. BJP termed this ‘international misbehavior’ as ‘treason’ and ‘a conspiracy to tarnish the image of the nation’.

During AI Summit Protest by Youth Congress workers Has raised the political temperature. Now the major allies of INDIA alliance (SP, RJD, Shiv Sena UBT) are also keeping distance from Congress and openly condemning it. Many leaders of allies said that the issue may be right, but the platform and method were chosen wrong. Come, let us know who said what and why Congress’s troubles are increasing…

Akhilesh Yadav (SP President, key UP ally of Congress)

The Samajwadi Party chief indicated that such protests on the international stage could damage India’s image. He said that when delegates from the world have come, we should not create such a ruckus. I am not in favor of this. Fighting with the government is an internal matter. He believes that there are many democratic platforms within the country to raise domestic issues.

#WATCH | Jhansi, UP: On Congress Protest at AI summit, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav says, “… We may have internal rifts, but what Congress did on the global platform was not appropriate. They should have refrained from doing something that brings shame to our country in… pic.twitter.com/pdT4P4n21z
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2026

Manoj Jha (RJD MP, Congress ally in Bihar)

RJD MP Manoj Jha said that there is anger in the country, there are many issues (including India-US trade deal), but protesting at a place like AI Summit was not a good option. He should have chosen another forum. It is important to choose the right place for protest, no matter how much anger there is against the government.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Youth Congress Protest at India AI Impact Summit 2026, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha says, “…The country’s grievances are genuine amid the deal signed between India and the US… However, the space chosen for amplification matters a lot. As far as the protest is… pic.twitter.com/rNoUnFEE5i
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2026

Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena UBT MP, Congress ally in Maharashtra)

Shiv Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant said that there is a right to protest in politics, but the place should be understood. This should not be done on an international platform like AI Summit.

Aditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT leader)

Shiv Sena UBT leader Aditya Thackeray said that this should not be done. Summit is a professional platform for innovators and entrepreneurs… there should be no political confrontation here.

Mayawati (former CM, BSP chief)

Mayawati said that expressing anger by being semi-nude at the international level is extremely shameful and condemnable. Congress workers should not have done this.

Is Congress alone now?

These statements show that Congress is now feeling alone. Allies are saying – country’s image first, politics later. Cracks in the INDIA alliance are clearly visible. Akhilesh-Tejashwi-Uddhav faction now wants to avoid Congress’s step of ‘international shame’. Many opposition leaders fear that such a step gives the ruling party the issue of nationalism. Some leaders of the Congress Party privately admitted that the method of protest appeared more aggressive. They fear that this may cause loss to the party.

What did the leaders of the NDA alliance say?

BJP MP Anurag Thakur said, “Congress has broken the rules of democracy… Are they anti-Modi or have they become anti-India now? Congress is defaming India at the international level. What kind of politics is this? While opposing Modi, Rahul Gandhi has started opposing India.”
BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said, “The Congress party has become an anti-national party instead of an opposition party. Congress is engaged in defaming and insulting India, which is a matter of concern for the country. A case of treason should be filed against those involved in this.”
BJP’s national spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam said, “The heinous deeds of the Congress party have put the country to shame. The entire country is protesting on social media today… Even the INDIA Alliance partners are distancing themselves from it and speaking ill of it. The thinking of Congress party’s youth leader Rahul Gandhi, who is not young, has now come to the fore. The more he supports the protest, the more he will fall in the eyes of the people.”
Shiv Sena leader Shayna NC said, “In the AI summit, India has benefited Indian citizens and youth at the international level, be it data, farming, or clean energy… but the bankruptcy of the Congress party is visible here… They are objecting to India becoming the fourth largest economy.”
RLM Chief Upendra Kushwaha said, “Congress’s protest in Delhi is an insult to the entire country. Prime Minister Modi is making the country proud in front of the whole world and Congress people are protesting like this. This is an insult to the entire country. He should apologize to the country.”

The controversy of AI Summit was not limited to just one demonstration. This has also raised questions on the unity, strategy and leadership of the opposition. It is clear from the statements of its allies that Congress will have to step carefully in politics in the future, otherwise the trust of its allies may weaken. At the same time, the BJP led NDA alliance is fiercely attacking the Congress by linking this issue to nationalism.