Ashwini Vaishnaw slams IYC’s shirtless protest at AI Impact Summit, calls it ‘very mean’

Ashwini Vaishnaw at the Rising Bharat Summit

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday criticised the Indian Youth Congress for staging a shirtless protest during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, calling the move “very mean” at a time when global leaders had gathered in the country.

Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, Vaishnaw said, “When the entire world is assembled in the country, and at that time, Congress’s act was very mean,” referring to the protest held outside the high-security venue of the AI Impact Summit.

Members of the Indian Youth Congress gathered outside the summit venue and staged a dramatic shirtless protest, raising slogans and attempting to march toward the site where global leaders and delegates had assembled. The AI Impact Summit saw participation from over two dozen heads of state and international representatives, prompting heightened security arrangements across the area.

According to officials, protesters attempted to breach police barricades and move closer to the main venue, triggering swift action from security personnel. The Delhi Police detained and later arrested several protesters for allegedly disrupting public order and attempting to obstruct the proceedings.

The protest unfolded even as the summit focused on global collaboration and discussions around the impact of artificial intelligence across sectors. The government has positioned the event as a major platform to showcase India’s growing role in shaping global AI governance and innovation frameworks.

Other leaders at the Rising Bharat Summit criticised the shirtless protest. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia called the disruption “an unmitigated disaster" at a global platform meant to showcase India’s technological leadership.