‘Topless, brainless, shameless’: Centre slams Congress after youth wing’s shirtless march at AI Summit, blames Rahul Gandhi | India News
NEW DELHI: BJP-led central government on Friday slammed Congress and traded guns on leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after members of the party’s youth wing staged a shirtless “despicable act” at the ongoing AI Summit.These remarks came after around 10 IYC workers were detained after they briefly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Exhibition Hall No. 5 at the summit venue, police said.“They were removed immediately and were taken to Tilak Marg police station. No one will be allowed to breach the law and order situation,” a senior police officer said.The protest triggered a political war of words, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress of orchestrating the disruption.
‘Topless, brainless, shameless’
BJP MP Sambit Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party are traitors of the highest order. The nation’s biggest traitors. Wherever the country progresses, wherever happiness prevails, they will surely spoil it. These are traitors…I have only three words for Congress: topless, brainless, shameless.”“Today, they went topless, brainless. Congress doesn’t have that much wisdom that this AI summit that is going on is not a BJP summit. This is an AI summit of the entire world,” he added.BJP IT department head Amit Malviya also criticised the protest, saying, “At a time when India is hosting a prestigious global AI Summit, showcasing its innovation and leadership in technology, the Congress party chose disruption over dignity.”He alleged that the act was “clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage” and added, “Political opposition is a democratic right, but sabotaging India’s global image is not… India deserves better.”In another post, Malviya said, “Narsimha Yadav, one of the main organisers of today’s naked protest at the AI Summit, has pictures with Rahul Gandhi.” He added, “This should leave no doubt that the disruption was not incidental, it was orchestrated. Such theatrics on an international stage only damage India’s image and undermine the very platform meant to showcase the country’s technological leadership. Political disagreements are part of democracy. Embarrassing India before the world is not.”A photograph circulating on social media shows Rahul Gandhi walking alongside Narsimha Yadav, who is alleged to have organised the protest.
Ministers demand apology
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.Defence minister Rajnath Singh said, “While the entire world was watching India host the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and witnessing our growing global leadership in the fields of technology and innovation, the Congress party chose the path of disrupting the event instead of enhancing the nation’s honour.”“The shameful manner in which Youth Congress workers created a ruckus at the venue by indulging in inappropriate behaviour is not only unfortunate but also an attempt to tarnish India’s reputation on the international stage…” he added.Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Today, the youth wing of the Congress party attempted a shameful incident at Bharat Mandapam. An attempt has been made to tarnish India’s image globally, and we condemn it… Strict action should be taken against those behind this.”Union minister Bhupender Yadav termed the protest “Absolute shamelessness from Congress!” and added, “This is not political opposition, this is an attempt at sabotaging India’s global image. Despicable.”BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also hit out at the party, writing on X, “Shame on Congress Party. Congress behaves like Urban Naxals. Cong is an anti-India party.” He alleged that Congress workers stormed the venue and raised “objectionable slogans on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi,” and demanded that “Rahul Gandhi, Congress and Gandhi-Vadra family should apologise to the country and its youth.”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.In a statement, the Indian Youth Congress defended the protest, saying its workers were raising their voice against a “compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit.”“Indian Youth Congress workers raised their voice and protested against the compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit,” the organisation said in an official post.“Instead of leveraging India’s talent and data, the AI summit is a disorganised PR spectacle – Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased,” it added.The incident has further escalated political tensions between the BJP and Congress, with both sides trading sharp accusations over the protest at the high-profile global event.
