New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party following a shirtless protest staged by its youth wing during the recent India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Addressing a public gathering in Meerut, he accused the opposition of misusing an international platform to pursue partisan politics.
The Prime Minister criticised the demonstration, describing it as an attempt to undermine the country’s global standing. In a pointed remark aimed at the protesters, he questioned the intent behind their actions, suggesting that the episode reflected the party’s ideological decline. He said the summit was a national event that showcased India’s technological progress and was not linked to any particular political party.
The protest occurred when a group of Youth Congress members entered a hall at the summit venue and raised slogans against the government over its trade engagement with the United States. Some protesters carried T shirts displaying images of the Prime Minister alongside US President Donald Trump. Security personnel intervened as the group attempted to continue their demonstration inside the high security venue.
Four individuals identified as Youth Congress office bearers were subsequently detained. They were produced before a court and remanded to five days of police custody as investigations continue.
The Prime Minister further alleged that certain political groups were unable to accept India’s growing international stature and were seeking to tarnish the country’s image during a major global gathering. He maintained that events such as the AI Summit represent national achievements and should not be disrupted for political messaging.
The incident has intensified the political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition, with both sides trading accusations over the appropriateness and intent of the protest.
