Congress Reminds BJP of 2010 Protests Amid Row Over AI Summit Demonstration

New Delhi: A political storm has erupted between the Congress and the BJP over a protest staged by the Indian Youth Congress during the ‘India AI Impact Summit’ at Bharat Mandapam. While the BJP termed the demonstration an “attack on the nation’s prestige,” the Congress hit back by recalling the BJP’s own protests during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The controversy began after members of the Indian Youth Congress allegedly staged a shirtless protest at the summit venue. The BJP criticized the act, accusing Congress leaders — including Rahul Gandhi — of encouraging behavior that tarnishes India’s global image. BJP leaders described the protest as irresponsible, claiming such actions damage the country’s reputation on the international stage.

Congress Counters With 2010 Reminder

Responding sharply, Congress MP Manish Tewari questioned the BJP’s stance and accused it of double standards. In a post on social media platform X, he stated that Youth Congress workers had raised their voices democratically during the AI Summit and that labeling the protest as “anti-national” was unjustified.

Tewari reminded the BJP that in 2010, when India hosted the Commonwealth Games and global attention was focused on the country, the BJP had organized nationwide protests. “Was the nation’s prestige not at stake then?” he asked, asserting that dissent is a fundamental democratic right.

Congress leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal also defended the protest, alleging that recent policy decisions, including the US trade deal, have put the future of India’s youth at risk. He recalled that senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari had himself led protests during the Commonwealth Games period.

“Democratic Right to Protest”

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate further defended the Youth Congress activists, questioning what wrongdoing they had committed. She said the protest was peaceful and reflective of concerns among young Indians.

Shrinate also took aim at what she termed “selective outrage,” asking why there was no similar anger over civic issues such as infrastructure lapses and public safety failures.

Political Face-Off Intensifies

The episode has deepened the ongoing confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Congress over issues ranging from economic policy to international agreements. With the AI Summit intended to showcase India’s technological ambitions on a global platform, the protest has added a new political dimension to the event.

As both parties dig in, the debate over dissent, national image, and democratic expression appears set to intensify in the days ahead.