Youth Congress Workers Stage Shirtless Protest at AI Summit After Tharoor's Praise
In a dramatic turn of events at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Youth Congress workers staged a shirtless protest on Friday against the India-US trade deal, forcing security personnel to intervene on the final day of the high-profile international event. This protest occurred just hours after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had publicly praised the summit's organization and global significance.
Protest Disruption at Bharat Mandapam
According to officials, several members of the Youth Congress removed their shirts and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bharat Mandapam venue. The protesters were swiftly detained and taken away to prevent any disruption to the summit, which was attended by government officials, industry leaders, and foreign delegates from around the world.
The security response was immediate and effective, ensuring that the protest did not escalate or interfere with the proceedings of the important international gathering. The incident highlighted the contrasting views within the Congress party regarding the government's policies and international engagements.
Tharoor's Earlier Praise for the AI Summit
Interestingly, this protest came just hours after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had heaped praises on the AI Impact Summit. While talking to reporters, the Thiruvananthapuram MP stated, "These first couple of days have gone extremely well. There have been some glitches, but these things happen in a large event."
Tharoor emphasized the impressive attendance of presidents, prime ministers, and world leaders at the summit. He noted, "They've come with a strong message of wanting to see a newly integrated world in AI development, where the impact upon society would be the principle preoccupation. India has clearly led the drive in this area."
Tharoor's Support on Defence Matters
During his interaction with reporters, Tharoor also expressed support for the government on defence matters, specifically mentioning the French Rafale deal. He stated, "As far as the French Rafale is concerned, parts of it are being manufactured in India, and that is a very important aspect of the deal because it is part of strengthening our defence, but also increasing our self-reliance in the defence sector."
He further elaborated, "Defence is important for India not because we want to go to war, but because we don't want others to think that we are so weak that they can be tempted to go to war. It is a defensive defence literally, and I support the government on that."
Historical Context of Tharoor's Stances
This is not the first time Shashi Tharoor has taken a contrasting stance from his party and commended the government. After India launched Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack, Tharoor participated in the government's diplomatic outreach to garner international support, demonstrating his willingness to support national initiatives across party lines when he believes they serve India's interests.
The AI Impact Summit, which brought together global leaders to discuss artificial intelligence development and its societal impacts, concluded with this unexpected protest, highlighting the complex political dynamics surrounding international events and trade agreements in India.
