Congress leader Margaret Alva on party's 'topless' protest at AI Summit: 'There has to be dignity at international events'

Margaret Alva

• Margaret Alva calls for discipline at global events post-protest.
• Leaders condemn Youth Congress topless protest at AI Summit
• Protest at global forum sparks concerns over India's image

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Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Margaret Alva has said that international platforms require discipline and responsible conduct, referring to the topless protest staged by Youth Congress workers during the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

Speaking about the controversy, Alva said, “I think at international events there has to be dignity, there has to be discipline, and there has to be a sense of responsibility.”

The protest, which took place during the summit attended by delegates from India and abroad, had triggered political criticism from several leaders across party lines. Opposition leaders argued that such demonstrations at a global forum could harm India’s international image.

The AI Impact Summit was organised to highlight India’s progress in emerging technologies and its growing role in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem. However, the protest became a political flashpoint after visuals of Congress workers demonstrating in a semi-nude manner circulated online.

Reacting to the incident, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said the protest was shameful and said political differences should not overshadow national interests. “Yesterday at the AI Summit, the Youth Congress made us all feel ashamed. Where is our politics heading! No one should ever demean our country. Whatever our political differences may be, we should always present a united face to the world,” he said.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati also criticised the protest, calling it highly objectionable. “The AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi had invited many prominent personalities from India and abroad and had received international attention. Expressing protest in a semi nude manner at such a platform, allegedly by Congress youth workers, was extremely inappropriate and condemnable,” she said.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader KT Rama Rao described the protest as political theatrics and said international forums should not be used for demonstrations. He added that the protest happened while Congress leader Revanth Reddy was addressing the same summit.