A provocative shirtless protest by Youth Congress at the high-profile India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with former Delhi High Court Judge S.N. Dhingra labeling it a ‘blow to national honor.’ Held at Bharat Mandapam, the 2026 summit attracted global dignitaries, including prime ministers, presidents from 20 nations, top CEOs, and diplomats, making the disruption all the more egregious.
In an exclusive interview, Justice Dhingra, who co-signed a scathing open letter with 277 luminaries including ex-DGP B.L. Vohra, dissected the folly. ‘Protests are constitutional rights, but not at the cost of national pride,’ he said. He pointed out the event’s non-political nature, centered on AI’s economic and societal impacts, not partisan debates. The topless display, he added, was legally flawed, poorly timed, and a betrayal of democratic norms.
‘Democratic expression and national interest aren’t at odds—unless you twist the former into anti-national theater,’ Dhingra remarked. The letter, dubbed ‘National Disgrace,’ calls out the act as a stain on India’s image. Authorities have registered an FIR, signaling serious repercussions. Political rivals, led by BJP, have piled on, accusing Congress of juvenile tactics that embarrass the nation internationally.
This episode underscores growing concerns over protest etiquette in India’s vibrant democracy. As AI emerges as a cornerstone of future growth, such distractions risk overshadowing substantive discussions. The fallout could reshape how opposition groups approach high-stakes international gatherings.