NEW DELHI: BJP-led central government on Friday slammed Congress and trained guns on leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after members of the party’s youth wing staged a shirtless “despicable act” at the ongoing AI Summit.These remarks came after around 10 Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers were detained after they briefly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Exhibition Hall No. 5 at the summit venue in Delhi, police said.The “topless” protest triggered a political war of words, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress of orchestrating the disruption.
‘Topless, brainless, shameless’
BJP MP Sambit Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party are traitors of the highest order. The nation’s biggest traitors. Wherever the country progresses, wherever happiness prevails, they will surely spoil it. These are traitors…I have only three words for Congress: topless, brainless, shameless.”“Today, they went topless, brainless. Congress doesn’t have that much wisdom that this AI summit that is going on is not a BJP summit. This is an AI summit of the entire world,” he added.
‘Sabotaging India’s global image’
BJP IT department head Amit Malviya also criticised the protest, saying, “At a time when India is hosting a prestigious global AI Summit, showcasing its innovation and leadership in technology, the Congress party chose disruption over dignity.”He alleged that the act was “clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage” and added, “Political opposition is a democratic right, but sabotaging India’s global image is not… India deserves better.”In another post, Malviya said, “Narsimha Yadav, one of the main organisers of today’s naked protest at the AI Summit, has pictures with Rahul Gandhi.” “This should leave no doubt that the disruption was not incidental, it was orchestrated. Such theatrics on an international stage only damage India’s image and undermine the very platform meant to showcase the country’s technological leadership. Political disagreements are part of democracy. Embarrassing India before the world is not,” he addedA photograph circulating on social media shows Rahul Gandhi walking alongside Narsimha Yadav, who is alleged to have organised the protest.
‘Congress is an anti-India party’
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also hit out at the party saying, “Congress Party has committed an anti-national act. This was the World AI Summit, led by India. It wasn’t a personal political forum. Just as an anti-national person feels uncomfortable, irritated, and jealous of the country’s prestige, the Gandhi-Vadra family instructed their Congress workers in the same way and committed this anti-national act...” In another post on X, he said Congress workers stormed the venue and raised “objectionable slogans on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi.” He further demanded that “Rahul Gandhi, Congress and Gandhi-Vadra family should apologise to the country and its youth.”
Congress arrogance & frustration on display
Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to “humiliate India.” In a post on X, he wrote, “This is CONGRESS ARROGANCE & FRUSTRATION on display! So, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, humiliating India to target the Government is your idea of opposition!”“While you want to CHOKE India’s development by peddling lies about the recent trade deals, your foot soldiers are marching shirtless at the prestigious AI Summit, attempting to embarrass 140 crore Indians globally. This disruption strategy only exposes your and your party’s lack of vision for India,” he added.
‘Congress party chose the path of disruption’
Highlighting the same sentiment againat the Congress party defence minister Rajnath Singh said, “While the entire world was watching India host the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and witnessing our growing global leadership in the fields of technology and innovation, the Congress party chose the path of disrupting the event instead of enhancing the nation’s honour.”“The shameful manner in which Youth Congress workers created a ruckus at the venue by indulging in inappropriate behaviour is not only unfortunate but also an attempt to tarnish India’s reputation on the international stage…” he added.
‘Despicable’
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Today, the youth wing of the Congress party attempted a shameful incident at Bharat Mandapam. An attempt has been made to tarnish India’s image globally, and we condemn it… Strict action should be taken against those behind this.”Union minister Bhupender Yadav termed the protest “Absolute shamelessness from Congress!” and added, “At a time Bharat is taking strides positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, Congress is going all out to embarrass the country. This is not political opposition, this is an attempt at sabotaging India’s global image. Despicable.”
What happened at the event?
The protesters had marched inside the venue wearing or holding white T-shirts bearing images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal”, “Epstein Files” and “PM is compromised,” leading to heated exchanges with some attendees.In a statement, the Indian Youth Congress defended the protest, saying its workers were raising their voice against a “compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit.”“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 an official post.“Instead of leveraging India’s talent and data, the AI summit is a disorganised PR spectacle – Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased,” it added.
