Akhilesh Yadav Breaks With Congress Over AI Summit Protest, Says Actions Harmful to India’s Image

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday openly disapproved of the Congress party’s protest at the AI Impact Summit 2026, signalling visible discomfort within the opposition INDIA bloc.

Yadav said that while political disagreements within the opposition are natural, actions taken on international platforms must be measured and responsible. He stressed that protests which draw negative global attention to India should be avoided, particularly when foreign leaders and delegates are present.

‘National Image Comes First,’ Says Yadav

Speaking on the controversy, the SP chief remarked that political rivalries should not spill over into global events hosted by India. He said such moments are meant to showcase the country’s progress and leadership, not domestic discord.

Without naming individuals, Yadav made it clear that his party does not endorse actions that risk embarrassing India in front of the international community, underlining a clear line between internal politics and national representation.

Youth Congress Members Arrested After Summit Disruption

The remarks come a day after Delhi Police arrested four Indian Youth Congress workers following disturbances at Bharat Mandapam during the summit. The accused—Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narsingh—were detained after allegedly disrupting proceedings by wearing protest T-shirts and confronting officials.

Police said the demonstration took place at a time when international dignitaries were present at the venue, raising security and diplomatic concerns.

Police Allege Coordinated Attempt to Tarnish India’s Image

According to Delhi Police, the accused were not engaged in a spontaneous protest but were part of a coordinated plan. Investigators alleged that the group raised objectionable slogans, obstructed security personnel and assaulted officials during the scuffle.

Police also claimed the protest was inspired by recent youth-led demonstrations in neighbouring countries and was designed to generate global attention against India. Three police personnel were reportedly injured during the incident.

Court Sends Accused to Police Custody

The Patiala House Court remanded the four accused to five days of police custody after rejecting their bail applications. Judicial Magistrate First Class Ravi noted that the investigation was at an early stage and custodial interrogation was necessary.

The court observed that the timing and location of the protest, coupled with the presence of foreign delegates, made the matter serious and warranted deeper scrutiny.

Clash of Arguments Inside the Courtroom

During the hearing, defence lawyers argued that the accused were educated youth leaders exercising their democratic right to protest and denied allegations of violence. They claimed the arrests were excessive and politically motivated.

However, the prosecution countered that the accused were fully aware of the consequences of staging a protest at a global event. The Additional Public Prosecutor said custody was required to trace funding, recover electronic devices, identify associates across states and establish the broader conspiracy.