Tensions flared at the prestigious India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi when Youth Congress staged a shirtless protest, eliciting fierce backlash from former Delhi High Court Judge S.N. Dhingra and 277 signatories who deemed it a grave insult to national honor. The Bharat Mandapam event, packed with international leaders and industry heads, was derailed by what critics call a reckless stunt.
In a pointed media interaction, Dhingra explained: ‘While democracy thrives on opposition, this protest was wrong in law, location, and intent.’ Amid attendees from 20 nations—including PMs, presidents, CEOs, and envoys—the topless antics outside projected chaos, clashing with the summit’s focus on AI innovation and business opportunities.
‘National interest trumps unchecked expression,’ he warned, underscoring that such acts erode India’s standing. The collective letter, ‘National Disgrace,’ spearheaded by Dhingra and ex-DGP B.L. Vohra, demands accountability. An FIR ensures judicial scrutiny ahead.
As political mudslinging intensifies, with BJP leading the charge against Congress, the controversy spotlights protest limits. In a nation eyeing AI leadership, these distractions threaten to undermine credibility. The saga reinforces that true democracy demands respect for collective honor alongside individual rights.