Several Union ministers on Friday launched a scathing attack on Congress after some of its youth wing workers staged a “shirtless protest” at the AI Summit venue and termed the act as “shameful.” The ministers also said it was an attempt to tarnish India’s reputation on the global stage.
The ministers also claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wanted to choke India’s development by peddling lies about the recent trade deals and attempting to embarrass 140 crore Indians globally.
The sharp reaction came after a group of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers staged a ‘shirtless protest’ at an exhibition hall at the AI Impact Summit, walking around holding t-shirts with slogans against the Government and the India-US trade deal printed on them, before being whisked away by security personnel present at the venue.
According to a senior Delhi Police officer, around 10 people were detained for the protest at the AI Summit. “They were removed immediately and taken to the Tilak Marg police station. No one will be allowed to breach law and order,” the officer said.
“The shameful manner in which Youth Congress workers created a ruckus at the (AI Impact Summit) venue by indulging in inappropriate behaviour was not only unfortunate but also an attempt to tarnish India’s reputation on the international stage. I condemn this act of the Congress,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a social post in Hindi.
While the entire world was watching India host the AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam, witnessing India’s growing global leadership in technology and innovation, the Congress chose to disrupt the event instead of enhancing the nation’s honour, he said.
Whenever India advances on the global stage, the Congress, instead of standing with the national interest, appears to prioritise political gains, and it is extremely regrettable to place partisan politics above the nation’s prestige and honour, the Defence Minister said.
“The people of India understand fully well who is committed to making India strong and capable, and who repeatedly attempts to tarnish its image,” he said.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, “This is CONGRESS ARROGANCE and FRUSTRATION on display!” in his social media post.
“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,” Goyal said.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said while the entire world is applauding India’s global leadership, innovation and technology vision, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress once again indulged in the politics of shaming the nation.
He said the commotion, chaos and insensitivity at an international platform like the AI Summit clearly showed that for the Congress, it is not national interest, but family interest and vested political interest that reign supreme. Congress politics has now shrunk to mere disruption and embarrassment, he alleged.
“Today, when the world is applauding India’s progress, Congress is busy pushing its anti-India agenda, in which the hunger for power runs so deep that they have no qualms about putting national honour on the line,” Pradhan said.
Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju wrote in his social media post, “This is a Global AI Summit, not a BJP Election rally! Congress Party itself has become a ‘National Shame’!!”
“At a time when Bharat is taking strides and positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, Congress is going all out to embarrass the country. This is not political opposition; this is an attempt to sabotage India’s global image. Despicable,” Rijiju said. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav termed the protest “absolute shamelessness from Congress!”
Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the protest as “a national shame”.
“Congress carries on with its continued efforts to demean India globally. This is a grave insult to our youths and tech innovators, who are showcasing Bharat’s brilliance at the global AI Summit,” Sonowal said.
Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote a Sanskrit phrase on his social media post, “Vinasakale Viparita Buddhi”, meaning as doom nears, one’s judgment gets distorted.
Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat also hit out at Rahul Gandhi over the protest, saying it is not surprising to see the followers of the “pea-brained and immature” Congress leader take their shirts off and run around vulgarly at the summit venue.
“Remember, when their pea-brained, immature leader Rahul Gandhi laughs in front of a dead body and wipes his nose on his own party president in public, it’s no surprise then that his followers strip their shirts and run around vulgarly at an AI Summit,” he said in a post. “Leadership sets the standard, and this is exactly what they reflect,” Shekhawat added.
Defending the protest by its workers, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib said in a statement, “Peaceful protest is our right in a democracy, and we will continue to raise the voice of the youth.” He also claimed that the organisation was not against the AI Summit but against “any compromise with India’s interests”.
