New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) A coalition of former Chief Justices from various High Courts, esteemed High Court judges, top civil servants, and veterans from the armed forces have publicly denounced the protest conducted by members of the Indian Youth Congress during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. They labeled the incident a “national disgrace” that jeopardized India’s reputation on the global stage.

The signatories expressed their profound disbelief at the recent “unforgivable spectacle”, wherein protesters engaged in a shirtless demonstration within the secure venue hosting international delegates, leading technology figures, and corporate leaders.

Describing the incident as a “grotesque betrayal of national dignity”, the statement highlighted that the protest occurred at a critical juncture when India was aiming to showcase its technological aspirations to the world.

“At a moment when the most influential technology leaders, global CEOs, and international representatives convened to observe India’s rise as a key player in shaping the future, this calculated outburst only served to tarnish the country's image globally,” the statement asserted.

As per the signatories, the protest was not an impulsive act of dissent but rather a “premeditated act of sabotage”, alleging that participants gained entry into the secure international venue using legitimate QR codes before resorting to “vulgar sloganeering”. They characterized such behavior as not merely political expression, but “an anti-national disruption aimed at signaling instability to global investors and partners,” the statement claimed.

While acknowledging that democratic protest is a rightful constitutional privilege, they cautioned that it should not morph into “a license for anarchy or the public humiliation of the nation.” “Genuine political opposition should challenge policies through intellectual engagement and parliamentary discussions; it should not devolve into stripping before foreign dignitaries for social media attention,” the statement added.

The signatories further warned that international forums must remain free from partisan political theatrics, noting that such actions “do not damage a government; they harm a nation.” Urging a unified condemnation from across the political spectrum and civil society, the statement called for a rejection of any political culture that takes pride in “publicly defaming the Motherland.”

The statement has garnered support from an impressive array of public figures, including former Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court Justice V.S. Kokje, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Justice B.C. Patel, former Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, and ex-RAW chief Sanjeev Tripathi.