The India AI Impact Summit 2026 at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam was overshadowed by a bizarre shirtless protest from Youth Congress workers, prompting former Delhi High Court Judge S.N. Dhingra to brand it an affront to the nation’s honor. Joined by 276 other notables in a damning letter, Dhingra’s voice carries weight in the escalating political row.
Speaking candidly, the retired judge argued the demonstration flouted legal boundaries and democratic propriety. ‘Opposition has every right to dissent, but not by tarnishing national prestige during an event hosting 20 countries’ leaders and global business titans,’ he stated. This wasn’t a soapbox for politics; it was a platform exploring AI’s role in shaping tomorrow’s world.
Dhingra stressed limits to protest: ‘You can’t gamble with the country’s image.’ The ‘National Disgrace’ missive, co-authored with figures like former DGP B.L. Vohra, decries the shirtless spectacle as a violation of national dignity. With an FIR now in place, investigations proceed as police take charge.
BJP and allies have seized the moment to lambast Congress, framing the protest as immature and damaging. The incident highlights tensions between free speech and responsible activism, particularly at forums elevating India’s tech ambitions. Moving forward, it prompts reflection on balancing dissent with decorum in an interconnected global arena.