Effigy Burning and Slogans Raised in City Demonstration on February 21
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Axom Yuva Parishad staged a protest outside Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati on February 21, opposing the Congress’s recent protest at the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi.
Protesters gathered near the Congress office in the city, raised slogans and burnt effigies as part of what they described as a nationwide agitation against the alleged disruption at the summit.
BJYM and Axom Yuva Parishad members held a protest outside Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati on February 21, burning effigies and raising slogans against the Congress over the disruption at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The demonstration was part of coordinated protests across multiple states.
What Triggered the Guwahati Protest?
The protest in Guwahati follows an incident at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, held at Bharat Mandapam.
During the event, members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) reportedly staged a shirtless protest inside the venue. According to reports, the protesters raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after entering the summit wearing or holding white T-shirts featuring images of Modi and former US President Donald Trump, along with slogans referencing the India–US trade deal.
Arrests in Delhi
Following the incident in Delhi:
- Four IYC leaders were arrested
- They were produced before the Patiala House Court
- Police stated that anti-national slogans were raised
- Authorities reported that three police personnel were injured
The alleged offences reportedly carry a punishment of up to seven years.
The IYC, however, defended the protest, stating that it represented the concerns of unemployed youth. The youth wing clarified that it was not opposed to the AI Summit itself but was protesting what it described as the Prime Minister’s stance on certain issues.
Political Reactions and Nationwide Protests
BJP leaders accused the Congress party and senior leader Rahul Gandhi of orchestrating the disruption.
In Mumbai, BJP workers reportedly showed black flags to Rahul Gandhi upon his arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Similar protests were also reported in cities including Jaipur, Jammu and Surat.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati, as Assam’s political centre, frequently becomes a focal point for national-level political reactions.
The demonstration outside Rajiv Bhawan reflects how national political events are influencing local political mobilisations in the city. With Assembly elections approaching, political activity in Guwahati has intensified across party lines.
No reports of major law-and-order disruptions in the city were available at the time of filing this report.
What Happens Next?
Further political responses from state-level leaders in Assam are expected in the coming days.
Authorities in Guwahati are likely to maintain security vigilance around key political offices as reactions to the AI Summit incident continue nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the protest held in Guwahati?
The protest was held outside Rajiv Bhawan, the Congress office in Guwahati, on February 21.
Why did the BJP youth wings protest?
They protested against the Congress’s alleged disruption at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.