Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday condemned a protest by the Indian Youth Congress at the AI Summit, alleging that attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed to tarnish India’s global image. In posts on X, Goyal used the hashtag #CompromisedCongress, accusing Rahul Gandhi of continuing a "family legacy" that harmed national interests. He cited past controversies during Congress governments, including India’s 1950 UN permanent seat stance under Jawaharlal Nehru, the Bofors scandal under Rajiv Gandhi, and the Katchatheevu agreement under Indira Gandhi.

Goyal wrote, “While Rahul Gandhi sends shirtless men to the AI Summit to humiliate India globally, it continues his family’s legacy of compromising Bharat’s image and interests.” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s 2024 US visit, questioning meetings with activists linked to the Indian American Muslim Council and others allegedly connected to Soros-funded networks, with Qatar reportedly facilitating. Joshi said such overseas engagements raise concerns when the line between dialogue and questionable networking blurs, stressing that transparency and accountability are crucial for national interests.

Last week, Indian Youth Congress members staged a shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapam against PM Modi, criticising the AI Impact Summit and calling him a "compromised Prime Minister." Police detained the protesters, and IYC chief Uday Bhanu Chib was arrested as the alleged mastermind behind the February 20, 2026 incident, accused of unlawful assembly, raising anti-national slogans, and attempting to incite a riot-like situation.