Indore BJP Congress clash on Feb 21 2026 over AI Summit protest injures many

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Indore experienced violent clashes between BJP and Congress party workers. This is a serious escalation of political tensions.
By Newsroom | Politics, Madhya Pradesh |

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, tensions flared in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as clashes erupted between workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. The confrontation, which involved stone-pelting and resulted in several injuries, occurred near the Congress office and was linked to protests concerning the recent India AI Impact Summit.

Ripples from AI summit protest reach Indore: BJP, Congress workers clash, several injured - 1

Background of the Confrontation

The events in Indore appear to be a local manifestation of broader political friction ignited by a protest staged by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) at the India AI Impact Summit. Reports indicate that on Friday, IYC members, some of whom were reportedly shirtless as a form of dissent, protested at the summit venue in Delhi. This action led to the arrest of four IYC workers by Delhi Police, who cited slogans and images on T-shirts as reasons for the custody.

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Ripples from AI summit protest reach Indore: BJP, Congress workers clash, several injured - 2

In response to the IYC's protest, the BJP organized demonstrations across various cities, including Indore. The BJP's protest in Indore was specifically directed at the Congress office, and it was during this demonstration that the physical confrontation with Congress workers ensued.

Ripples from AI summit protest reach Indore: BJP, Congress workers clash, several injured - 3

Details of the Indore Clashes

Witness accounts and police reports detail a chaotic scene near the Congress office, also referred to as Gandhi Bhawan.

Ripples from AI summit protest reach Indore: BJP, Congress workers clash, several injured - 4

  • Escalation: The situation escalated when BJP workers, identified by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), protested near the Congress office.

  • Mutual Allegations: Both parties accused the other of initiating violence.

  • BJP's Claim: The BJYM president, Shyam Tailor, alleged that Congress workers attacked BJYM protesters.

  • Congress's Claim: The Congress SC/ST Morcha president, Pradeep Ahirwar, claimed BJP workers attempted to force their way into the Congress office.

  • Physical Confrontation: Reports indicate stone-pelting from both sides, with objects like water bottles, oil pouches, oranges, and tomatoes being used as projectiles.

  • Injuries: Several individuals sustained injuries, including:

  • Congress and BJP workers.

  • Media personnel.

  • A police officer, identified as sub-inspector R S Baghel.

  • Damage: Vehicles parked outside the Congress office were reportedly damaged.

  • Legal Action: Multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered. The Congress filed a complaint against unknown BJYM workers, while police also registered FIRs concerning rioting.

Conflicting Narratives on the Inciting Incident

The precise actions leading to the violence are subject to differing accounts from the involved parties.

  • BJP's Stance: The BJP has framed the IYC's protest at the AI summit as an act of defamation and disruption. BJYM workers in Indore demonstrated to condemn this action. Videos shared by the BJP showed a female worker sustaining an eye injury from a stone.

  • Congress's Stance: The Congress has characterized the BJP's protest as an attempt to infiltrate and attack their office. They claim their workers were injured and hospitalised. The Congress has criticized the BJP's actions as a "reign of terror."

Wider Protests and Arrests

The events in Indore were not isolated. Similar clashes and protests between BJP and Congress workers were reported in other parts of Madhya Pradesh, such as Bhopal and Gwalior, as well as in Delhi and Puducherry. In Bhopal, seven BJP workers were booked over a clash involving stone-pelting at the MPCC office. The national context includes the arrest of four IYC workers in Delhi in connection with their protest at the AI summit.

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Expert Analysis

  • Political analysts note that such clashes often serve to galvanize party cadres and can be used to score political points ahead of elections. The AI summit protest provided a focal point for existing political animosities between the BJP and the Congress to manifest physically.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The clashes in Indore highlight the heightened political tensions in India, exacerbated by the controversy surrounding the IYC protest at the AI Impact Summit. The incident resulted in injuries to political workers, media, and law enforcement, alongside property damage and legal repercussions in the form of FIRs. The conflicting accounts underscore the need for a thorough investigation by authorities to ascertain the precise sequence of events and accountability. Further investigations into the registered FIRs are expected to provide more clarity on the matter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did BJP and Congress workers clash in Indore on Saturday, February 21, 2026?
The clashes happened because BJP workers protested against the Congress's Youth Wing protest at the India AI Impact Summit. Congress workers say BJP tried to enter their office, leading to fighting.
Q: What happened during the BJP and Congress protest clash in Indore on Feb 21, 2026?
Both groups threw stones and other objects at each other near the Congress office. Several people, including political workers, media, and a police officer, were hurt. Some vehicles were also damaged.
Q: Who was injured in the Indore clashes on February 21, 2026?
Injuries were reported among workers from both the BJP and Congress parties. Media personnel covering the event and a police sub-inspector were also injured.
Q: What was the AI Summit protest that led to the Indore clashes?
The Indian Youth Congress protested at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, with some members protesting without shirts. This led to arrests and the BJP organizing counter-protests.
Q: What actions were taken after the Indore clashes on Feb 21, 2026?
Police registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against workers from both parties. Investigations are ongoing to understand who started the violence.