New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, ridiculing its leaders for staging a shirtless protest during the recent AI Impact Summit held in the national capital. Addressing a public gathering at the inauguration of the Metro Rail project in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister accused the grand old party of reducing political discourse to a “new low” and indulging in what he termed “naked politics.”
Reacting sarcastically to the protest, Modi remarked, “You are already naked. What was the need to undress further?” — a statement aimed at criticising the Congress leadership’s approach to opposing the government at an international forum.
Modi Slams ‘Ideological Bankruptcy’ of Congress
Speaking at the Metro Rail inauguration event in Meerut near New Delhi, the Prime Minister said the protest by certain Youth Congress members during the global AI conference reflected the party’s “philosophical bankruptcy” and inability to accept India’s growing global stature.
“India’s oldest party has fallen into ideological bankruptcy. Instead of contributing positively, they are busy belittling their own country. Some political forces cannot tolerate India’s success on the world stage,” Modi said.
According to the Prime Minister, the protest during a global technology summit undermined the dignity of a national event and projected a negative image of India internationally.
Protest at AI Impact Summit Sparks Political Row
The controversy erupted during the AI Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, where around 10 Youth Congress leaders allegedly removed their shirts and raised slogans against the Prime Minister, former US President Donald Trump, and the Central government. The protest took place amid discussions focused on artificial intelligence, innovation, and global collaboration.
Sources present at the event confirmed that security personnel quickly intervened and escorted the protesters out of the venue to maintain order. The summit was attended by policymakers, technology leaders, and international delegates.
While Congress has not officially endorsed the method of protest, some opposition leaders expressed reservations about disrupting a global platform dedicated to technology and development.
‘It Was a National Event, Not a BJP Function’
Remarking the importance of the AI Summit, Modi clarified that the event was not politically affiliated.
“It was a global AI summit, not a BJP event. There was no BJP leader on stage. It was a national responsibility. Yet Congress chose to use it for dirty politics,” he said.
The Prime Minister further alleged that certain political groups were attempting to tarnish India’s reputation at international forums for narrow political gains.
Political Reactions Intensify
The incident has triggered a fresh round of political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress party. BJP leaders have echoed the Prime Minister’s criticism, terming the protest “irresponsible” and “disrespectful” to India’s global standing. Meanwhile, Congress leaders have accused the government of deflecting attention from substantive issues by focusing on symbolic protests.
The political exchange comes at a time when artificial intelligence and digital governance are central to India’s development narrative, with the government projecting the country as a leading global technology hub.
As the row continues, the incident has reignited debate over the limits of political protest at international and nationally significant events.
