Congress Shirtless Protest: The Bharat Mandapam venue in New Delhi hosted the India AI Impact Summit 2026 event which people planned to use as proof of Indian superiority in artificial intelligence and innovative technologies.
The Protest Demonstration at the Event
The shirtless protest at an international AI event was widely criticized. The demonstration raised concerns among leaders because they believed it would damage India’s international reputation.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Response
Akhilesh Yadav, who leads the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and serves as a political ally of the Congress in various states, demanded that protesters end their demonstration. He stated that people should express their political opinions respectfully during international summits.
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Mayawati’s Response
BSP president Mayawati also criticized the demonstration, calling it totally unacceptable and highly offensive. She pointed out that the summit was meant to highlight India’s technological progress, and that disruptive acts of this nature distract from its purpose and damage the country’s reputation.
BJP Leaders’ Response
BJP leaders reacted to the protest with strong condemnation because they described it as both shameful and anti-national. Senior party figures accused Congress of deliberately trying to embarrass India on a global stage. The party organised demonstrations in multiple cities, demanding accountability and expressing outrage at the conduct of the Youth Congress members.
Galgotias University Robodog Controversy
While the political controversy dominated headlines, the summit also faced scrutiny over the Galgotias University exhibition. The university presented a quadruped robot named “Orion,” claiming it was an indigenous innovation.
Misrepresentation Allegations
Observers quickly identified the robot as Unitree Go2, a commercially available Chinese model. Social media users and AI experts criticized the university for misrepresenting the technology as its own development.
University Response
Galgotias University issued a clarification, stating that the professor who presented the robot was not authorized to make claims on behalf of the institution. The university emphasized that there was no institutional intent to mislead attendees and apologized for any confusion caused by the demonstration.
