Members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a striking shirtless protest inside the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam on Friday.
They targeted Narendra Modi and his government’s handling of the event.
The demonstration occurred as the high-profile summit entered its concluding day, drawing global delegates and technology leaders.
Protesters temporarily disrupted proceedings by removing their shirts and chanting slogans such as ‘PM is compromised’ and ‘India’s dignity is not up for negotiation’.
Videos of the demonstration went viral on social media.
They showed protesters raising their voices against government policies and alleging that the Prime Minister had ‘traded the country’s identity’ at the summit.
Security personnel intervened swiftly to quell the disturbance.
Youth Congress Voices Grievances
The Delhi Police detained several protesters at the venue. They escorted the individuals from the premises.
Authorities are taking legal action against those who breached security protocols.
The Youth Congress said they staged the protest to voice broader grievances against the government.
They cited dissatisfaction with official policies, alleged mismanagement of the summit, and concerns over India’s foreign policy stance.
The action marked a rare, dramatic dissent within an international technology forum that otherwise showcased India’s role in shaping global discussions on artificial intelligence.
Senior leaders from the opposing Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the protest.
They criticised the demonstration as politically motivated and disruptive, asserting that it detracted from the summit’s focus on innovation and responsible AI governance.
BJP spokespeople called the action ‘anti-India’. They demanded an apology from the Congress party for disrupting a nationally significant event.
The protest unfolded amid wider political criticism of the summit’s organisation and execution.
Opposition figures had earlier questioned the logistics, event management, and foreign participation.
Despite the brief disturbance, the summit continued as scheduled, with heightened security measures to maintain order for the remaining sessions.
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