‘Made Us All Feel Ashamed’: Opposition Parties Slam Congress Over Shirtless Protest At AI Summit – Delhi News Daily

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 16:19 IST

Youth Congress workers stormed the AI Impact Summit shirtless at Bharat Mandapam, drawing condemnation from BJP, YSR Congress Party chief, Mayawati among others.

Left: BSP Chief Mayawati, Middle: Youth Congress Workers protesting, Right: YSR Congress Party supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

The Congress party came under sharp criticism after workers of the Youth Congress stormed the AI Impact Summit shirtless. Visuals showed the protesting workers walking inside Bharat Mandapam with their shirts in their hands, raising slogans as they marched through the venue.

The act drew condemnation not only from Union Ministers and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but also from other political parties, many of whom stressed the need to “rise above politics” on global platforms.

YSR Congress Party chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also took to X, saying it was important to present a united front to the world despite political differences.

“Yesterday at the AI Summit, the Youth Congress made us all feel ashamed. Where is our politics heading! No one should ever demean our country. Whatever our political differences may be, we should always present a united face to the world,” he wrote.

‘Made Us All Feel Ashamed’: Political Parties Slam Congress Over Shirtless Protest At AI-Impact Summit

‘Creating Ruckus Is Wrong’: Akhilesh Yadav 

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said that creating ruckus is wrong, and expressed solidarity with the government.

“Creating a ruckus is wrong; it insults our country in front of foreign delegates. When delegates from around the world are present, we should not create such a disturbance,’ he said.

“In this matter, we stand with the government. Our fight with the government is an internal issue,” he added.

Mayawati Says ‘Such Act Causes Concern’

Former Uttar Pradesh CM and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati wrote on X,”The ‘AI Impact Summit’ held in New Delhi, in which quite prominent figures from both the country and abroad were invited and which was making headlines on an international level, the manner in which certain individuals—mostly identified as young Congress members—expressed their anger by going semi-nude during this event is utterly disgraceful and reprehensible.”

“If this conference were not of international stature, it would be a different matter altogether; however, such conduct during the summit is a cause for concern, meaning it would be appropriate to ensure that the dignity and image of our country are not tarnished,” she added.

Lokesh Nara, General Secretary, Telugu Desam Party, also raised concern saying that “turning such a prestigious international event into a political spectacle only diminishes our collective standing before the world.”

“I’m shocked and dismayed by the disruption caused by Youth Congress at the AI Summit yesterday. This global platform was meant to showcase India’s growing leadership as an emerging AI superpower. Turning such a prestigious international event into a political spectacle only diminishes our collective standing before the world,” he said.

“India deserves better. Let us rise above petty politics and focus on nation-building through innovation and excellence,” he added.

Congress’ Reaction

After allies reacted sharply to the protest, Congress said it is a democracy and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Delhi Police Seeks Custody Of Arrested Protestors

Meanwhile, Delhi Police on Saturday sought the custody of the arrested activists saying that the protest is a part of “larger conspiracy that has taken inspiration from the Gen Z protests in Nepal.”

“The accused need to be confronted with each other as well as with digital evidence. This is a very important investigation,” police told the court.

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