Guwahati: A violent confrontation broke out outside Rajiv Bhawan, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) headquarters on Saturday, as the BJP Yuva Morcha and Asom Yuva Parishad, youth wings of BJP and AGP, clashed with Congress workers. The unrest followed a call by Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia for statewide protests against the Youth Congress over its “shirtless protest” at the recently concluded India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi.
Around 200 BJP and AGP supporters gathered outside Rajiv Bhawan, carrying party flags and banners featuring Rahul Gandhi. They raised slogans against the Congress, burned effigies of Rahul Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi, and defaced Congress campaign vehicles, intensifying the confrontation. BJP Yuva Morcha leaders alleged that the Youth Congress’ actions at the AI conference had embarrassed India on a global stage and claimed that the political stance of Rahul Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi undermined national sovereignty.
As the BJP protesters intensified their slogans, hundreds of Congress workers emerged in retaliation, shouting back and burning posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The atmosphere quickly turned chaotic, with physical altercations breaking out between the two groups, prompting heavy police intervention to restore order.
The Congress alleged that the security forces showed clear bias, using batons and physical force against their members while failing to control BJP protesters. Video footage reportedly shows senior Congress spokesperson Ratul Kalita being slapped by Dispur DCP Mrinal Deka during the melee, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage.
Condemning the attack on its members and questioning the impartiality of the police, Congress has lodged a complaint at Bhangagarh Police Station.
Security has been heightened in the area to prevent further violence.