Political battle over ‘shirtless’ protest at AI Summit: BJP-Congress clash, stone pelting and arrests from Delhi to Indore – Top Updates

The political controversy that started after the India AI Impact Summit held in Delhi is now openly visible on the streets. ‘shirtless’ demonstration The ongoing tension between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress workers since Friday took a violent turn at many places. In the video going viral on social media, supporters of both the parties are seen face to face and incidents of stone pelting have also come to light. The situation worsened on Saturday, 21 February, when the confrontation during the protest turned into a violent clash. Police had to intervene and additional forces were deployed to control the situation.

In fact, this entire controversy deepened when Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers allegedly demonstrated ‘shirtless’ during the AI ​​Summit and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of compromising with the national interest. Since then, protests, arrests and sharp political statements on this issue have intensified across the country.

How did the clash start?

Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner Krishna Lalchandani said that the clash took place near the Congress office, where the BJP was protesting. He said that ‘there were two parties involved. One side was protesting. This demonstration was taking place near the Congress office. Barricading was done in the area and adequate police arrangements were made. Suddenly some rumors spread and stones were thrown. After this the other side also started pelting stones. Some people have been injured. It is too early to say who threw the first stone. According to the police, suddenly after the rumor spread, stone pelting started and both the parties came face to face. There is also news of some people getting injured in this incident.

What is the ‘shirtless’ protest controversy?

A day earlier, during the AI ​​Summit organized at Bharat Mandapam, Youth Congress workers had allegedly taken off their shirts and raised slogans. The protesters alleged that the interests of farmers have been compromised in the US-India trade deal. During the demonstration, some workers clashed with the security personnel. Police say that the demonstration was pre-planned. According to officials, the protesters had entered the venue through the QR code and initially the plan was to protest by putting stickers on black umbrellas.

Who got police custody and why?

Patiala House Court rejected the bail pleas of four arrested Youth Congress workers – Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narasimha Yadav and sent them to police custody for five days. Police claim that the possibility of some big conspiracy behind this protest cannot be ruled out. The investigation is also looking into whether this demonstration was inspired by the violent Gen-Z movements in Nepal. The lawyer of the accused said that ‘political dissent should not be crushed like this. The accused are educated officials, who were exercising their right to protest peacefully.

Why did the situation worsen in Indore?

There was a clash between BJP Yuva Morcha and Youth Congress workers in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, about 1000 kilometers away from Delhi. There was heavy stone pelting and pushing between the two groups. Additional police force had to be deployed to handle the situation. Youth Congress alleged that BJP supporters attacked the Congress office under police protection. The party claimed that District President Vipin Wankhede was injured.

What allegations did Congress make?

Congress wrote on social media platform X that ‘BJP’s reign of terror continues in Madhya Pradesh. BJP goons entered the state Congress office. There these goons beat up Congress workers and caused extensive vandalism. All this hooliganism was done under the patronage of the BJP government. Here the government itself is breaking the law. Immediate action should be taken against these BJP goons. The party accused the state government of destroying law and order.

What was the reaction of BJP and other parties?

BJP Yuva Morcha protested against Congress’s ‘shirtless’ protests in many states. Black flags were shown to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai. Workers burnt his effigy in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that any kind of demonstration which embarrasses the country in front of foreign representatives should be avoided. BSP chief Mayawati described the protest at the AI ​​program as ‘utterly disgraceful’ and ‘reprehensible’.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that ‘under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress has become a party which has started opposing the country and is behaving like a traitor. His conduct at the AI ​​Summit was an insult to India. Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh also objected to making the international forum a political arena.

10 big things about ‘shirtless demonstration’

• Youth Congress’s ‘shirtless’ demonstration at AI Summit.
• Prime Minister accused of compromising with national interest.
• BJP protested near Congress office.
• Stone pelting on both sides, many people injured.
• Four Youth Congress workers in police custody for 5 days.
• Police started investigating a big conspiracy.
• Crowds dispersed with water cannon in Delhi and Chandigarh.
• Clash between BJP Yuva Morcha and Youth Congress in Indore.
• Congress accused BJP of ‘hooliganism’.
• NDA and opposition parties also criticized Congress.