Delhi: Cadres of the Indian Youth Congress on Friday disrupted the ongoing India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi by staging a dramatic protest inside the venue. The demonstration briefly halted proceedings at the high-profile technology event.
Shirtless Protest Inside Summit Venue
Several Youth Congress workers entered the summit hall while sessions were in progress and removed their shirts as a form of protest. They raised slogans such as “India’s dignity is not up for negotiation” and “Inquilab Zindabad,” drawing immediate attention from attendees and security personnel. Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, showing protesters chanting and gesturing inside the venue.
Youth Congress Targets Prime Minister Modi
In a statement released soon after the protest, the Indian Youth Congress directly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of damaging the country’s image at the AI summit. The organisation claimed that the Prime Minister had “compromised” national interests and questioned the way the international event was organised.
“Indian Youth Congress workers raised their voice and protested against the compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit,” the organisation said in its statement.
Police Detain Protesters, Legal Action Initiated
The Delhi Police acted swiftly and detained the protesting workers from the venue. Officials confirmed that legal action is being initiated against those involved in disrupting the summit. Security at Bharat Mandapam was tightened following the incident.
Political Row Overshadows Technology Discussions
The protest shifted focus away from discussions on artificial intelligence and innovation, turning the summit into a political flashpoint. The incident triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, intensifying the debate around the government’s handling of the event.
Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Criticise AI Summit
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised the summit, calling it a “disorganised PR spectacle.” He alleged that instead of highlighting India’s technological strength, the event exposed Indian data while showcasing foreign products.
