Workers and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including members of its youth wing, staged protests across multiple cities after activists from the Indian Youth Congress disrupted the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
Demonstrations were reported in Delhi, Surat, Mulund in Maharashtra, Hyderabad, and several other locations. BJP activists raised slogans and carried placards condemning the Congress for allegedly tarnishing India’s global image during a high-profile international event.
In Mulund, protesters showed black flags to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi while he was travelling to Thane to furnish a fresh surety in a defamation case filed by a worker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
AI Summit Disruption Sparks Controversy
The controversy began at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi when nearly 10 Youth Congress activists staged a shirtless protest. The protesters raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US trade deal.
Some activists wore or carried white T-shirts printed with images of PM Modi and former US President Donald Trump. Security personnel quickly intervened and detained the activists for disrupting the event.
The summit was attended by leading global technology figures, including Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai, highlighting its international significance.
BJP Leaders React Strongly
BJP chief Nitin Nabin strongly condemned the protest, accusing certain political parties of aligning with what he termed “urban Naxalism.”
“We often use the term ‘urban Naxalism.’ I can say that while earlier some parties were merely influenced by it, today they have completely become a part of it,” he stated, adding that such acts harm India’s global standing.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav described the disruption as “absolute shamelessness from Congress.” In a post on X, he said that at a time when India is positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, such actions attempt to sabotage the nation’s international image.
The incident has further intensified the ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and Congress ahead of key national developments.
