“Congress Already Naked”: PM Modi Criticises Party Over Shirtless Protest at AI Summit
📅 February 23, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
Prime Minister Targets Opposition Over AI Summit Protest
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharply criticised the Congress party on Sunday over a shirtless protest staged by some of its members during a recent artificial intelligence (AI) summit, remarking that the party was “already naked” in its approach to governance and policy.
The Prime Minister made the comments while addressing a public gathering, where he accused the opposition party of resorting to theatrics rather than substantive debate on technology and national development. The remarks came days after Congress leaders staged a protest during the AI Summit, removing their shirts to draw attention to what they described as concerns over job losses and transparency in AI-related policymaking.
The AI Summit, held in India this week, brought together policymakers, technology leaders, and international delegates to discuss artificial intelligence governance, innovation, and regulatory frameworks.
Protest at AI Summit Draws Political Fire
According to official reports and visual footage from the event, a group of Congress leaders staged a symbolic protest at the venue, alleging that government policies on AI lacked adequate safeguards for employment and social equity.
The protest, which included removing their shirts as a symbolic gesture, briefly disrupted proceedings before security personnel intervened. No injuries or detentions were reported, and the summit continued after the situation was brought under control.
Congress representatives later stated that the demonstration was intended to highlight what they termed “exposure” of government shortcomings in managing technological transitions. Party leaders have not issued a formal response to the Prime Minister’s latest remarks as of publication.
Government’s AI Agenda
The AI Summit is part of the government’s broader push to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence research and application. Officials at the event outlined plans for strengthening AI infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and ensuring ethical standards in AI deployment.
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi defended the government’s approach, stating that India’s AI initiatives are aimed at inclusive growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. He accused the opposition of undermining national progress by politicising technological discourse.
The government has previously launched several initiatives under its Digital India and AI mission frameworks, emphasizing skill development and startup support.
Political Reactions
Political analysts noted that the exchange reflects the ongoing intensification of rhetoric between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
While BJP leaders amplified the Prime Minister’s remarks on social media, several opposition figures criticised the language used, calling for more substantive debate on employment and digital governance.
There has been no indication of legal action or disciplinary measures stemming from the protest. Security at future summit sessions has reportedly been reviewed as a precaution.
Broader Context of AI Policy Debate
The debate over AI regulation and workforce impact has been a prominent issue globally. Industry experts have emphasized the need for balancing innovation with safeguards for employment, privacy, and ethics.
India’s AI roadmap includes regulatory consultations and stakeholder engagement processes. Officials have stated that policy drafts will be open for public comment before finalisation.
As of Sunday evening, neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor Congress headquarters had released additional statements elaborating on the incident beyond the remarks made publicly.
Sources:
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Prime Minister’s public address transcript
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Official AI Summit programme briefings
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Congress party media interaction coverage
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Government of India Digital India mission documents
Tags:
PM Modi, Congress Protest, AI Summit, Artificial Intelligence Policy, Indian Politics, BJP vs Congress
News by The Vagabond News
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