NEW DELHI: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday defended its shirtless protest at the AI Summit venue at Bharat Mandapam, saying the demonstration was aimed at the “compromised PM.” He further asserted that the country’s “angry youth won’t stay silent.””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. ‘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 told ANI.”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 subsequent social media posts, the IYC said, “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 group 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.Delhi Police said legal action has been initiated against those involved. 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.According to police, the protesters were wearing sweaters and jackets over T-shirts carrying slogans. Near Hall No. 5, one of them removed his outer clothing and waved the T-shirt in protest. Officials said those detained are being identified and appropriate legal action is being taken.The protest triggered sharp reactions from the BJP.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.”
