'Characterless, Brainless, Topless’: BJP Hits Out at Congress Over 'Shirtless' Protest at AI Summit

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday launched the scathing attack on the Congress party over its ‘shirtless’ protest at the AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, calling the demonstration an attempt to undermine India’s global achievements in technology.

The controversy erupted after Indian Youth Congress activists staged a shirtless protest at the venue, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the AI Summit.

Shehzad Poonawalla calls protest ‘anti-India’

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress of opposing national progress under the guise of political dissent.

He said the protest reflected the party’s mindset toward India’s development narrative.

“Congress has once again proven that for them, AI isn't Ambitious India, Artificial Intelligence, or Aspirational India. For them, AI is anti-India. This isn't the INC, this is the ANC, the anti-National Congress,” Poonawalla said.

He further alleged that the demonstration was politically motivated and not merely a protest against the ruling party.

“But at Rahul Gandhi's behest, the Congress party is protesting; it is a characterless, brainless, emotionless protest. This isn't a protest against the BJP, it's not a protest against the PM, it's a protest against India's achievements,” he added.

BJP terms protest ‘national shame’

Poonawalla emphasised that the AI Summit was receiving international recognition and appreciation from global leaders and technology figures.

“The AI Summit is being praised worldwide. From President Macron to the United Nations Secretary General to top tech company honchos, from Sam Altman to Sundar Pichai, everyone is praising it. Even Shashi Tharoor said the AI Summit was excellent,” he said.

According to the BJP, the protest stood in contrast to the international acclaim the summit was drawing and also described the protest as a “national shame” and accused the Congress of attempting to disrupt a prestigious global event.

“National Shame. 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,” the party said.

The post also criticised the manner of the protest and further said that while political opposition is a democratic right, actions that harm India’s global image are unacceptable.

“Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress workers went topless and created a ruckus at the venue, an act clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage,” it added.

Kiren Rijiju joins criticism

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also reacted strongly to the incident.

In a post on X, he said, “This is a Global AI Summit, not a BJP election rally! The Congress Party itself has become a ‘National Shame’ !!”

‘Trying to spread anarchy’: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also strongly condemned a protest by the youth wing of the Congress during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, calling it a "shameful incident" and an attempt to damage the country's reputation globally.

While addressing the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly, he accused the protestors of attempting to "spread anarchy".
"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. These people want to play games at the expense of the country. Where people from over 100 countries are participating, they are trying to spread anarchy by creating such chaos. Every Indian should condemn this incident. Strict action should be taken against those behind this," Adityanath said.

‘Topless, brainless, and shameless’: BJP's Sambit Patra

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra slammed the Congress Party for allegedly disrupting the AI Impact Summit, following a "shirtless" protest conducted by the Indian Youth Congress at Bharat Mandapam on Friday.

During a press conference, Patra criticised the party as "shameless, topless, and brainless." He further called Rahul Gandhi the country's "biggest traitor" for his alleged role in disrupting the high-profile event.

'Attempt to tarnish India's global image': Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party over the Indian Youth Congress protest at the India AI Impact Summit, alleging that the disruption was an attempt to tarnish India's global image and undermine the nation's prestige as it showcased its technological leadership before the world.

Condemning the protesters, Chouhan accused the party of being "anti-India" and questioned its leadership, asking whether politics had become bigger than the nation's prestige for Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
"Congress workers didn't just take off their shirts at the AI summit, but they exposed how Congress is anti-India. This is treason. This is tampering with the image of our country...I want to ask Sonia Gandhi ji and Mallikarjun Kharge ji, is politics bigger than the country for them? Have they signed a secret deal to play with the country's prestige? Is this the real face of Congress? The public will not forgive this," he said.

'Shameful manner': Rajnath Singh 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also criticised and on X said that while the world was watching India host the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Congress party chose to disrupt the event instead of upholding the nation's honour. He condemned the Youth Congress protest, calling it shameful and an attempt to damage India's global reputation. He further alleged that Congress puts political interests above national pride.

"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 honor. The shameful manner in which Youth Congress workers created a ruckus at the venue by indulging in inappropriate behavior is not only unfortunate but also an attempt to tarnish India's reputation on the international stage. I condemn this act of the Congress party," Rajnath Singh said on X.

'Congress' arrogance and frustration on display': Piyush Goyal

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of attempting to "humiliate India" after members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a shirtless protest at the AI Summit in the national capital.
In a post on X, Goyal 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," the post read.

'They must be scared of AI Summit': Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urged the Congress party to keep the India AI Summit above politics, stressing the importance of showcasing the country's innovation and global presence. Vaishnaw said, "No one can explain it to them (protestors). That is their job. They must have been very scared about how such a good, such a grand AI summit took place."

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Summit, Vaishnaw said, "Secondly, when India is moving forward rapidly, as you heard the voice of the youth, people from all parts of the country are basically looking at this as a new opportunity for them, and this is the time when we should keep the summit above politics. We should make sure that everybody supports, everybody cooperates with this effort; only then can the country grow forward. If Congress remains in that mindset where they have to obstruct everything, then may God save them."

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