Congress-BJP Workers Clash Violently at AI Summit Protest in Delhi
A violent confrontation erupted on Saturday between workers of the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a protest near the Congress office in New Delhi. The clash occurred as BJP members demonstrated against a "shirtless" protest staged by Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members at the India AI Impact Summit the previous day.
Police Intervention and Injuries Reported
According to videos circulating on social media, the clash involved stone-pelting, prompting immediate police intervention to control the situation and ensure public safety. Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishna Lalchandani stated that the incident happened near the Congress office, where the BJP protest was underway. "There were two parties involved. One party was protesting. The area had been barricaded, and proper police arrangements had been ensured. Suddenly, some rumour-mongering occurred, and some stones were thrown. Then, the other side also threw stones. Some people were injured... It's too early to say who threw the first stone," Lalchandani added.
Three policemen were reportedly injured during the confrontation, highlighting the intensity of the violence.
Background: Youth Congress "Shirtless" Protest
The clash follows a provocative demonstration by Youth Congress workers on Friday inside the Bharat Mandapam venue of the AI summit. Protesters removed their shirts and raised slogans, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of compromising the country's interests during the event. This act drew significant attention to what they described as a political and national concern.
Delhi Police officials revealed that the protesters had registered online to obtain QR codes for entry and initially planned to use black umbrellas with printed stickers to convey their message. "However, they later felt that the black umbrellas might draw the attention of the security personnel manning the gates, so they changed their plan and got the printed stickers placed on T-shirts instead," a police source said.
Legal Actions and Arrests
In a related development, the Patiala House Court on Saturday rejected bail applications for four arrested Youth Congress workers: Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav. They were sent to police custody for five days. Police argued that custody was necessary to investigate a potential larger conspiracy, including the funding and planning of the protest.
Investigators are also examining if the demonstration was part of a wider conspiracy linked to similar protests in Nepal, adding an international dimension to the case.
Political Reactions and Accusations
The lawyer for the accused argued that the protest was a form of political dissent and that the workers were being targeted due to their party affiliation. "Political dissent shouldn't be crushed like this. The accused are educated office bearers exercising their right to protest peacefully," the lawyer stated.
In response, the Congress party blamed the state BJP leadership for the violence. In a post on social media platform X, the party wrote, "The BJP's reign of terror is ongoing in Madhya Pradesh. BJP goons have stormed into the state Congress office. There, these goons engaged in scuffles with Congress workers and caused widespread vandalism. All this thuggery was carried out under the patronage of the BJP government. Here, the government itself is tearing the law to shreds. Immediate action must be taken against these BJP goons."
Ongoing Investigations and Security Concerns
The accused reportedly engaged in a scuffle with security personnel and police staff during the protest, raising questions about security protocols at high-profile events like the AI summit. Authorities are now focused on maintaining order and preventing further escalations as political tensions remain high.
This incident underscores the volatile nature of political protests in India and the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing such situations. As investigations continue, the public awaits further details on the conspiracy allegations and the broader implications for political discourse in the country.
