Tensions flared at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan on February 20 during the high-profile India AI Impact Summit. Indian National Youth Congress workers stripped off their T-shirts in a provocative protest, prompting a fierce backlash from BJP leaders, led by Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
In a pointed X post, Goyal declared the stunt a manifestation of Congress’s hubris and desperation. He directly targeted Rahul Gandhi, saying the opposition’s strategy involves discrediting India globally to attack the government. ‘You peddle falsehoods on trade agreements to impede development, and now your Youth Congress disrupts a world-class event shirtless, mortifying Indians worldwide,’ Goyal fumed.
The protest unfolded amid international delegates and tech luminaries gathered to witness India’s AI advancements. Goyal portrayed it as symptomatic of Congress’s visionless approach, prioritizing disruption over constructive opposition.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu amplified the criticism, decrying the act as a betrayal of India’s moment in the spotlight. ‘When the nation showcases its tech leadership, Congress opts for chaos,’ he stated, warning that such behavior empowers India’s detractors.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat mocked the protesters as Rahul Gandhi’s misguided flock, whose indecency reflects leadership failures. Manjinder Singh Sirsa went further, calling the display a shameful ‘naked spectacle’ before foreign guests, urging the Gandhi family to reflect on their degradation.
BJP’s Gaurav Bhatia accused Congress of morphing into a gang of anarchists intent on sabotaging India’s global reputation. He framed the topless march not as protest, but as a calculated scheme to undermine the summit.
This clash highlights the polarized political landscape, where a cutting-edge tech event becomes battleground for partisan warfare. While Congress has not responded publicly yet, the BJP’s unified outrage paints the incident as an assault on national pride. As India strides toward AI dominance, such spectacles risk overshadowing genuine achievements and fueling debates on protest ethics in a democracy.