'You Want To Choke India's Development': BJP Tears Into Rahul Gandhi Over AI Summit Protest

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 15:41 IST

The controversy erupted after several Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members were detained for staging a shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit in Bharat Mandapam.

The BJP on Friday launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi after Indian Youth Congress workers staged a brief protest at the high-profile AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, accusing the Congress of attempting to “choke India’s development".

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal condemned the incident, calling it an example of “Congress arrogance and frustration."

“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," said Goyal in an X post.

“So, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, humiliating India to target the government is your idea of opposition?" Goyal wrote, adding that the protest was a deliberate attempt to shame India before a global audience.

He said the episode exposed the Congress party’s “lack of vision for India’s future."

Echoing the criticism, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya termed the protest a “national shame." He said that at a time when India was showcasing its technological leadership to the world, Congress workers chose disruption over dignity.

Malviya alleged that the act was carried out under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi with the sole intention of creating an international embarrassment.

The controversy erupted after several Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members were detained for staging a shirtless protest inside Hall No. 5 of the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

According to police officials, the protesters raised slogans such as “PM is compromised," briefly causing a commotion among delegates and attendees.

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