By Manjeet Sehgal | NEW DELHI/SHIMLA | Monday, February 23, 2026
NEW DELHI — A massive political firestorm has ignited across the national capital and Himachal Pradesh following a controversial “अर्धनग्न” (semi-naked) protest by Youth Congress workers at the prestigious AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam. The fallout of this incident has taken two distinct shapes: a scathing ideological attack by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a legal standoff at Himachal Sadan in Chanakyapuri, where a viral video involving a lady lawyer has sparked a debate over police jurisdiction and civil liberties.
The Viral Standoff at Himachal Sadan
The controversy gained momentum when a video surfaced from the corridors of Himachal Sadan, showing a high-voltage drama between Delhi Police officials and the residents. In the footage, a lady lawyer is seen courageously confronting a team of police officers who had entered the premises late at night. She accused the Delhi Police of blatant procedural violations, alleging that they entered a lady’s room after sunset without a valid search warrant and, most critically, without the presence of female police officers. The lawyer’s forceful questioning regarding the “औचित्य” (justification) of a midnight raid without legal documentation resonated quickly across social media, initially painting a picture of police high-handedness.
However, as the investigation unfolded, a more complex narrative emerged. The Delhi Police clarified that their presence at the Sadan was not a random act of harassment but a targeted operation to track down Youth Congress activists who had allegedly utilized the state-run guest house as a “safe haven” to hatch their protest conspiracy. According to police sources, several protesters who participated in the “naked protest” at the AI Summit were staying at Himachal Sadan. The police suspected that the entire plan to disrupt the global event, which showcased India’s technological prowess, was masterminded within the rooms of this Chanakyapuri establishment.
PM Modi’s “Nangi Congress” Jibe: A Scathing Critique
While the police were busy with raids, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a public platform in Meerut to launch one of his most aggressive verbal assaults on the Congress party to date. Addressing a sea of supporters during the inauguration of the Namo Bharat corridor, the Prime Minister did not mince words. He referred to the Youth Congress protest as a sign of “वैचारिक दिवालियापन” (ideological bankruptcy). In a remark that has since dominated headlines, the PM questioned the logic behind the semi-naked demonstration, stating that the Congress party was already “naked” in terms of its character and policies, so the physical act of removing clothes was redundant and only served to embarrass the nation on a global stage.
The Prime Minister’s rhetoric was aimed at isolating the Congress within the political landscape. He claimed that the “nangi rajneeti” (naked politics) practiced by the party was a burden on the country and noted with satisfaction that even alliance partners of the INDIA bloc, such as the TMC, DMK, and AAP, had expressed their disapproval of the act. By framing the protest as an insult to a “national event” rather than a “BJP event,” Modi successfully pivoted the narrative from a simple protest to an issue of national pride and global reputation.
The Investigation and Wider Crackdown
The administrative fallout has been equally intense. The Manager of Himachal Bhawan confirmed that the Delhi Police have been camping at the site for over 48 hours, meticulously scanning CCTV footage and guest registers. The investigation revealed that the protest was not a localized event but involved leaders from across the country. One prominent arrest was made in Gwalior, where the Delhi Police apprehended Youth Congress leader Jitendra Yadav. Authorities believe Yadav was a key participant in the Bharat Mandapam incident.
Currently, the Delhi Police have identified ten primary suspects, of which four have been detained. Specialized teams are now tracking the remaining six fugitives across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala. The police maintain that they are following “digital footprints” and call detail reports (CDR) to establish a clear link between the stay at Himachal Sadan and the execution of the protest at the AI Impact Summit. While the viral video of the lady lawyer continues to raise valid questions about police protocols during late-night searches, the central authorities remain firm that the gravity of the “criminal conspiracy” to disrupt a global summit necessitated immediate and firm action.
