22 February,2026 05:19 PM IST | Meerut | mid-day online correspondent
PM Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Meerut on Sunday. Pic/PTI
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress over its youth wing's recent shirtless protest at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, stating that the demonstration showed that the "oldest party of the country has become ideologically bankrupt", news agency IANS reported.
On Friday, members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a protest inside New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam during the high-profile summit, raising slogans against PM Modi and the Central government over alleged "unemployment, inflation and the reported India-US trade deal".
Addressing a public rally in Meerut, PM Modi said Indians were working towards the goal of a "Viksit Bharat" but alleged that some political parties were unable to accept the country's progress, IANS reported.
Referring to the recently held AI Summit, he said it was a historic event for a developing nation.
"Today, Indians are working hard to achieve the resolution of a Viksit Bharat. However, there are some political parties in the country that are not able to digest the country's progress. Just a few days ago, India hosted the world's largest AI Summit... There hadn't been such a historic event in any developing country. I ask you, were you not proud of this AI Summit?" he said.
Claiming that the entire country had felt proud of the summit, PM Modi accused the Congress of turning a global event into a political platform, IANS reported.
"The entire nation was filled with pride. However, what did Congress do? They turned a global event into a platform for its dirty and naked politics. Congress leaders reached the venue naked in front of the foreign guests," he added.
Continuing his attack, PM Modi said the protest reflected ideological bankruptcy within the party.
"I ask the Congress leaders, the nation knows that you are already naked, so why did you feel the need to take off your clothes? This shows that the oldest party of the country has become ideologically bankrupt," he stated.
Accusing the Congress of attempting to "defame" the country, Modi compared the situation to a village wedding where residents come together to protect the community's reputation.
"When someone gets married in a village, everyone helps the household so that the guests take along a good picture of the village. However, Congress is focused on defaming its own country," he said.
PM also alleged that Congress leaders were driven by personal animosity towards him and the ruling alliance.
"Congress leaders hate Modi. These people want to dig my grave. They do not shy away from abusing my mother. They are against the BJP and NDA. Fine, if this is what your politics consists of, we will accept it too," he said.
Modi further asserted that the AI Summit was a national event and not linked to any political party.
"However, they need to understand that the AI Summit was not the BJP's event, and no BJP leader was present there at that time. This was an event of the nation, the hardwork of the nation. However, Congress crossed all limits. Now the entire nation is criticising the Congress party's policies," he added.
PM Modi also criticised Congress leaders for "praising" the youth wing's protest.
"Unfortunately, the leaders of the oldest party of the country are praising those who embarrassed the country instead of criticising them," he said.
Modi also thanked the Congress' allies in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc for condemning the incident.
"One thing that gives me satisfaction is that all the allies of Congress have shown the courage to criticise the party over the Delhi incident. I express my gratitude to them for this," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
