Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sharply criticised the Indian National Congress, alleging that the party turned a prestigious global technology gathering into a stage for political theatrics.

Addressing a public meeting in Meerut, Modi referred to the disruption at the recent India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where members of the party’s youth wing staged a shirtless protest inside the venue. The demonstration was reportedly linked to objections over a trade agreement with the United States.

Taking a pointed swipe at the opposition, the Prime Minister said the incident reflected what he described as the party’s “ideological bankruptcy.” He accused Congress leaders of attempting to tarnish the country’s image during what he called one of the largest international conferences on artificial intelligence hosted by India.

Modi emphasised that the summit was a national platform, not a partisan programme, and suggested that political disagreements should not overshadow events meant to showcase India’s global standing. He further alleged that certain political groups struggle to accept the country’s growing influence on the world stage.

The Prime Minister also claimed that personal attacks against him and his family have become part of the opposition’s strategy, asserting that the conduct at the summit broke established norms of decorum.

The controversy began when Youth Congress workers entered a hall at the AI summit, raising slogans against the government. Some participants reportedly displayed T-shirts featuring images of Modi and former US President Donald Trump. Security personnel and police intervened to remove the protesters, leading to a confrontation.

Authorities later detained four individuals identified as office-bearers of the youth wing. They were presented before a local court and remanded to police custody for five days as investigations continue.

The episode has intensified the political sparring between the ruling party and the opposition, with both sides framing the incident as emblematic of larger ideological differences.