AI Summit Protest Shows Congress Is Ideologically Bankrupt: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a public gathering, strongly condemned the Congress party’s youth wing for its shirtless protest at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. He described the demonstration as evidence that the “oldest party of the country has become ideologically bankrupt.”  

The protest, staged inside New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, was aimed at raising slogans against the government over unemployment, inflation, and the reported India-US trade deal. However, Modi argued that such actions embarrassed the nation at a historic global event. He emphasized that India had hosted the world’s largest AI summit, a moment of pride for any developing country, and accused Congress of turning it into a platform for “dirty and naked politics.”  

Modi’s sharp criticism included a rhetorical attack: “The nation knows you are already naked, so why did you feel the need to take off your clothes?” He accused Congress of defaming India in front of foreign guests, likening the incident to a village wedding where everyone works to ensure guests leave with a good impression—contrasting this with Congress’s alleged intent to tarnish the country’s image.  

He further noted that the AI Summit was not a BJP event but a national achievement, the result of collective hard work. By disrupting it, Congress crossed all limits, he said, and now faces widespread criticism for its approach. Modi also expressed disappointment that senior Congress leaders praised the youth wing’s protest instead of condemning it.  

The episode underscores the clash between optics and substance in Indian politics. While Congress sought to highlight domestic issues, Modi framed the protest as a reckless act that undermined India’s global standing. His remarks reinforce the narrative of Congress as obstructive, while positioning his government as the custodian of national pride and progress.