AI Summit – Fadnavis Criticises Youth Congress Protest at Global Event
AI Summit – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has strongly criticised the Indian Youth Congress for staging a protest during the recently held India AI Impact Summit, describing the demonstration as damaging to the country’s image at an international platform.-
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday expressed sharp disapproval of the protest organised by members of the Indian Youth Congress during the high-profile AI Impact Summit. He argued that such actions risk undermining India’s standing at a time when global attention is focused on the country’s growing role in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Chief Minister Condemns Protest at International Forum
Addressing reporters, Fadnavis said the summit had drawn interest from across the world and was meant to highlight India’s technological capabilities. According to him, staging a protest at such a venue sends the wrong message internationally. He accused the Youth Congress of disregarding national interests and claimed their actions had reflected poorly on the country during a globally discussed event.
Fadnavis further stated that political disagreements should not interfere with platforms designed to promote India’s progress in emerging technologies. He maintained that the summit was an opportunity to showcase innovation, collaboration and policy initiatives related to artificial intelligence.
Shirtless Demonstration at Bharat Mandapam
The controversy began on Friday when workers of the Indian Youth Congress held a protest at Bharat Mandapam, the venue hosting the summit. As part of their demonstration, several protesters removed their shirts, describing it as a symbolic gesture of dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government’s approach to the AI Impact Summit.
In a statement shared by the organisation, the Youth Congress alleged that the Prime Minister had compromised national interests during the summit. The group claimed the event did not adequately protect India’s identity or data. Police officials later intervened and detained the demonstrators to maintain order at the venue.
Congress Leaders Raise Concerns Over Summit Management
The protest followed criticism from senior Congress leaders regarding the planning and execution of the summit. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, questioned the government’s priorities, arguing that India’s technological talent and data resources should be used more strategically. He described the event as lacking clear direction and raised concerns about the display of foreign products at the summit.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also voiced dissatisfaction with the arrangements. In a message posted on social media platform X, Kharge claimed that the summit, which was expected to project India as a leader in artificial intelligence and digital advancement, suffered from organisational lapses.
He alleged that participants, including visitors and exhibitors, faced inconvenience due to insufficient basic facilities such as food and water. According to Kharge, what could have been a landmark showcase of India’s AI capabilities reportedly fell short because of poor coordination and planning.
Government and Opposition at Odds Over AI Event
The exchange has intensified the ongoing political debate between the ruling party and the opposition over the conduct and impact of major international events hosted in India. While the government maintains that the AI Impact Summit was a significant step in positioning the country as a global technology hub, opposition leaders argue that the event did not meet expected standards.
The India AI Impact Summit was designed to bring together policymakers, industry leaders and technology experts to discuss developments in artificial intelligence, data governance and innovation. With global interest in AI continuing to expand, the summit was seen as an important opportunity for India to highlight its digital ecosystem and investment potential.
As political reactions continue, the focus remains on how such high-profile events are managed and how dissent is expressed during international gatherings. The episode underscores the broader debate over balancing political protest with the need to maintain a unified national image at global forums.