Jagan Warns Against Protests That Dent India’s Global Image

Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, president of the YSR Congress Party and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, strongly condemned the protest staged by Youth Congress activists during the ‘India AI Impact Summit’ held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

Expressing his anguish on Saturday through a post on Twitter (X), Jagan described the incident as “deeply shameful” and detrimental to the country’s image, particularly as the event was attended by international dignitaries.

“Where Are Our Politics Headed?”

Referring to the dramatic scenes at the summit, Jagan said the conduct of the Indian Youth Congress had left the nation embarrassed.

“What direction are our politics taking? No one should undermine the nation’s dignity for political gains,” he remarked. He stressed that despite internal political differences, India must present a united front before the global community. Undermining that spirit on international platforms, he warned, could damage the country’s reputation.

He further emphasized that safeguarding India’s prestige on world stages is a shared responsibility.

What Happened at the Summit?

The incident occurred on Friday during the AI summit in New Delhi, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to reports, a few activists affiliated with the Indian Youth Congress allegedly breached the security cordon at the venue and staged a protest by removing their shirts and raising slogans. They accused the Prime Minister of compromising the nation’s identity in the AI initiative.

Security personnel swiftly intervened, detaining the protesters and escorting them out of the venue.

Four Activists Remanded

Taking the breach seriously, the Delhi Police arrested four individuals — Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narasimha Yadav — and produced them before the Patiala House Court on Saturday.

The court granted five days of police custody. Police informed the court that the accused had raised anti-national slogans in the presence of international delegates and violated security protocols at a high-profile global event.

BJP Stages Nationwide Protests

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched protests across the country condemning the conduct of Congress workers at Bharat Mandapam. Party leaders accused the Congress of tarnishing India’s image on an international platform.

With protests erupting in several states, the episode has triggered a major political row nationwide.