Will the Congress Party Apologize for the Youth Activists' Protest?
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticizes Congress for not apologizing over the shirtless protest by Youth Congress activists at the AI summit. The protest raised significant issues, but Congress defended the actions as an expression of anger against the government. Explore the implications of this controversy in today's political landscape.
Key Takeaways
The Congress party faced criticism for not apologizing for the actions of Youth Congress activists.
The protest highlighted major issues such as unemployment and inflation.
Political decorum is called into question regarding the methods of protest.
The incident reflects ongoing tensions between the Congress party and the BJP.
Public reactions indicate a divided opinion on protest methods.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) - On Saturday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Congress party concerning the shirtless protest by its activists at the AI summit, expressing his expectation that the party would issue an apology for the incident.
Kiren Rijiju took to social media platform 'X', stating, "I anticipated that the Congress party would offer an apology for the shameful actions of Youth Congress activists. I was astounded to hear Congress leaders defend such disgraceful behavior! The public has taught them a lesson! Some journalists even justified this conduct!"
During the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam on Friday, members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a dramatic protest, chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government over claims of unemployment, inflation, and the controversial India-US trade deal.
Officials reported that several Youth Congress workers removed their shirts and shouted slogans like “PM is compromised” before being intervened by security personnel. The protesters were quickly detained and removed from the venue to prevent any disruption to the high-profile international event, which was attended by government officials, industry leaders, and foreign delegates.
While chanting slogans, some activists went topless in front of a board for the India AI Summit, taking photos and attempting to create chaos.
Security personnel acted swiftly, forcing them out of the area. It remains unclear how these workers managed to enter the venue, which was crowded with thousands, including international attendees.
The Youth Congress posted videos of their protest on their social media handle.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin condemned the Congress for bringing shame to all Indians, claiming that the party’s anarchic policies would lead to its downfall.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also denounced the shirtless protest by a group of Indian Youth Congress members against the central government and the Indo-US trade deal, labeling it as highly disgraceful and deplorable.
The Congress party defended the shirtless protest by its youth wing on Friday during the AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi, stating it was an expression of anger against the Union government regarding the reported trade deal with the United States.
Point of View
It is essential to remain unbiased in reporting this incident. The actions of the Youth Congress activists bring to light important issues like unemployment and inflation. However, the methods of protest are debatable. The Congress party's defense of these actions raises questions about accountability and political decorum.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Youth Congress protest at the AI summit?
The Youth Congress protested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government over issues of unemployment, inflation, and the reported India-US trade deal.
Who criticized the Congress party regarding the protest?
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Congress party for not apologizing for the actions of its youth activists.
What actions did the Youth Congress members take during the protest?
Several Youth Congress members removed their shirts and shouted slogans, creating a scene at the AI summit.
How did the Congress party respond to the protest?
The Congress party defended the protest as an expression of anger against the Union government.
What was the reaction from other political figures?
BJP leaders, including Nitin Nabin and Devendra Fadnavis, condemned the actions of the Youth Congress as disgraceful.
