Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Indian National Congress after a protest by Youth Congress workers disrupted the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi. He accused the party of dragging politics into a global event, saying it embarrassed the country.
During a rally in Meerut, Modi condemned the Congress leaders for disrespecting the event’s decorum. Instead of apologizing, he noted that they were defending the protestors. He mentioned that several opposition parties, like Trinamool Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party, were not involved in the protest.
The controversy unfolded when around ten Youth Congress members entered Hall No. 5 of Bharat Mandapam using QR-coded passes. They removed their shirts and shouted slogans against Modi, displaying messages about the India-US trade deal. Security swiftly removed them, but the disruption was noticeable.
According to the Delhi Police, four to five of the protestors were detained for questioning after a scuffle with security. Prominent Youth Congress leaders, such as Krishna Hari and Kundan Yadav, are involved in the incident and are expected in court soon.
The protest sparked reactions across the country. In cities like Chandigarh and Indore, BJP workers staged demonstrations, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced backlash from BJP supporters who accused his party of harming India’s reputation.
Responding to the protests, Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib described the actions as a democratic expression of concerns over unemployment and the India-US trade deal.
Beyond the political drama, recent surveys show that public trust in government actions and transparency is declining, particularly among youth who feel their concerns are not being addressed. This context helps explain why protests like this one are becoming more common as people seek to voice their frustrations.
As Modi pushed for development and law and order in Meerut, he highlighted improved infrastructure as key to attracting investment in the region. This focus illustrates the ongoing struggle between political narratives and the day-to-day realities of governance.
For more on the implications of political protests on international relations, check this article by The Economist.
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Narendra Modi, protest, Indian Youth Congress, AI summit, Indian National Congress controversy, India AI Impact Summit, Bharat Mandapam, BJP, political clash
