In a bold move amid the India AI Summit, Delhi Police arrested four Congress-affiliated protesters who disrupted proceedings at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The February 20 crackdown followed reports of physical altercations and planned mischief.
Sources indicate the activists intended a high-visibility stunt with black umbrellas but switched to concealable printed T-shirts after reconnaissance. Narsimha Yadav, Youth Congress coordinator, is among those in custody, facing charges under stringent IPC sections for obstructing public events and manhandling officers.
Footage from the scene captures tense moments of shoving and shouting, underscoring the protesters’ aggression. Police are tracing the T-shirt printers and exploring links to broader networks, classifying the act as a calculated ploy to derail the summit.
BJP has unleashed a barrage of condemnation, with Shehzad Poonawalla labeling Congress as ‘Anti-National’ for interpreting AI as ‘Anti-India’. During a charged press conference, Sambit Patra asserted the protest stemmed from a conspiracy at Rahul Gandhi’s residence, implicating Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Patra slammed the opposition for attempting to humiliate India on an international stage, where advancements in artificial intelligence were being celebrated. The arrests signal zero tolerance for politicizing tech summits, vital for India’s innovation ecosystem.
As the case heads to Patiala House Court, political tempers flare. This incident spotlights ongoing BJP-Congress hostilities, with implications for public order during mega events. Stakeholders urge restraint to safeguard national interests over partisan games.