Desperate Congress Workers Storm AI Summit At Bharat Mandapam, Stage Shirtless Protest; Several Arrested

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress workers barged into the ongoing AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on Friday and staged a shirtless protest while raising anti-Modi slogans at the high-security venue.

The protesters removed their shirts and shouted anti-Modi slogans ("PM is Compromised") inside the premises, where heightened security arrangements were in place for the summit. 

Following the incident, four to five people have been detained by Delhi police, and further verification is underway to ascertain whether the individuals entered the premises using a valid pass or QR code.

In a post on X, the Indian Youth Congress said its workers were protesting 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," an official post from Indian Youth Congress said. 

'AI isn't Ambitious India for Congress': BJP 

The protest triggered a sharp political response from the Bharatiya Janata Party, as BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the Congress party over the demonstration.

He said, “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.”

Further, Poonawalla said the AI Summit was receiving global appreciation.

“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.

He also alleged that the protest was politically motivated.

“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,” Poonawalla added.

Rahul Calls AI Summit 'PR Spectacle'

The protest followed after the Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi repeatedly attacked the government on the organisation of the summit, saying, "Instead of leveraging India's talent and data, the AI summit is a disorganised PR spectacle – Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had also alleged mismanagement of the AI Summit, claiming that what could have been a "showpiece" event for India turned into "utter chaos".

Kharge claimed that visitors and exhibitors alike faced "extreme distress" due to a lack of basic facilities such as food and water.

In a post on X, Kharge criticised the government, stating that the summit, which was expected to showcase India's digital and artificial intelligence capabilities to the world, reportedly witnessed large-scale mismanagement".

"What could have been a showpiece AI Summit for the entire world, demonstrating the digital and AI capabilities of India, has reportedly turned into utter chaos and rank mismanagement by this 'PR hungry' government!" Kharge said.

Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera had also launched an attack on the government and singled out IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

In a post on X, Khera also slammed Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, saying that he has proved that in India AI means “Ashwini is incompetent.” Vaishnaw has proved that in India AI means “Ashwini is Incompetent.' As for the 'Pradhan (Tamasha) Mantri' - every event is a Jhappi-Pappi Fest. This was supposed to be an AI Summit – a platform for innovation and exchange of ideas. BJP reduced it to a cheap China bazaar,” he said.