Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday defended its shirtless protest at the AI Summit saying the demonstration was the “voice of millions of angry unemployed youth” aimed at the “compromised” Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The youth wing said that they are “not against the AI Summit, and they “will no longer sit quietly.”“Today, during the AI Summit, Youth Congress comrades raised slogans of ‘PM is Compromised’, clearly conveying the message that the youth of the country will no longer sit quietly,” IYC President Uday Bhanu told ANI.
“‘PM is Compromised’ is not just a slogan, but the voice of the anger of millions of unemployed youth. PM Modi’s trade deal with America appears to be against the interests of farmers and the common people, with America gaining more benefit from it,” Bhanu said.“Youth Congress will continue to fight for the rights of the country and will keep speaking the truth on every platform,” he added.In an earlier statement, the organisation said its workers “raised their voice and protested against the compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit.”In a series of social media posts, the IYC said that the truth cannot be buried behind the glittering stage of the AI Summit.“When corporate interests are placed above the nation’s welfare and a softness in foreign policy is clearly visible, then protest becomes a duty!”It added that its workers went to Bharat Mandapam “so that a voice can be raised against the ‘Compromised PM’ and the Modi government is forced to answer for the compromises being made on the country’s honour!”The organisation also said, “We’re not against the AI Summit. We’re against the compromises being made with India’s interests.”“If we know how to follow the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi, we also know how to follow the path shown by Sardar Bhagat Singh. We absolutely will not allow the interests of the country’s youth and farmers to be traded away,” it said.These remarks came after around 10 Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers were detained after they briefly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Bharat Mandapam’s Exhibition Hall No. 5, police said.Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla said the incident took place around 12.30 pm and that the protesters had registered online to attend the summit.The protesters had marched inside the venue wearing or holding white T-shirts bearing images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal”, “Epstein Files” and “PM is compromised,” leading to heated exchanges with some attendees.Officials said those detained are being identified and appropriate legal action is being taken.The “topless” protest triggered sharp reactions, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi of orchestrating the disruption.Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to “humiliate India.” In a post on X, he 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,” he added.Union minister Bhupender Yadav termed the protest “Absolute shamelessness from Congress!” and said, “At a time Bharat is taking strides 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 at sabotaging India’s global image. Despicable.”
