Congress leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal defended the recent “shirtless” protest by Indian Youth Congress workers at the India AI Impact Summit, attributing it to the youths’ passion and concern for their future. Sappal linked the protest to their discontent over the Indo-US trade deal, emphasizing the right to protest as a fundamental aspect of democracy. He highlighted past instances of BJP leaders engaging in similar demonstrations during international events in India, questioning the double standards in perceiving protests.
Pawan Khera, Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman, criticized the BJP for condemning the choice of venue for the protest, asserting that visibility is crucial for such demonstrations to garner attention. Khera lamented the alleged suppression of the Opposition’s voice in Parliament, citing instances where dissenting voices were silenced. He praised the Indian Youth Congress workers for shedding light on what they perceive as government failures, citing various incidents that have tarnished the country’s reputation.
Khera also pointed out a controversial incident at the AI Summit involving the presentation of a China-made robot dog as a Made in India product, underscoring the impact of such occurrences on the nation’s image. He called for acknowledgment of these issues and urged for a space where dissenting voices can be heard without being labeled as anti-national.
