PM Modi Slams Congress at AI Summit, Says Party Exposed Its “Intellectual Bankruptcy”

India, Feb 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly criticized the Congress for the recent shirtless protest staged by its youth wing at the AI Impact Summit, saying the opposition can tear as many clothes as it wants, but his government will continue to focus on India’s development.

Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Modi said Congress not only removed its clothes in front of foreign guests but also revealed its intellectual shortcomings. “Millennials have already taught the country’s oldest party a lesson; now Gen-Z is ready to do the same,” he asserted.

In a pointed remark, Modi referenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, noting that while the party was unhappy over the “Babbar Shers” (lions) statue atop the new Parliament building, its own ‘lions’ ran away after facing the public’s ire. The prime minister alluded to Youth Congress workers being heckled at the AI Summit for their dramatic protest, which involved removing shirts to display anti-government slogans.

“Congress can tear as many clothes as it wants, but we will continue working for India’s development. Their protest at the AI Summit exposed their incapabilities in front of international guests,” Modi said.

He further accused Congress of exploiting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy to cover failures while attributing all achievements to one family. Modi highlighted the decline of Congress’s electoral strength over the decades, contrasting it with the growing engagement of young voters in India.

On India’s recent trade deals, Modi emphasized the nation’s growing confidence and institutional strength, noting that developed countries approached India because of its inherent capabilities. “Capability is built over generations, through knowledge, tradition, hard work, and experience,” he said, underscoring India’s rise from pre-2014 policy paralysis to reclaiming its global potential.