During the historic inauguration of the Namo Bharat corridor and the Meerut Metro on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a stinging critique of the Congress party. The Prime Minister took direct aim at the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) for their recent “shirtless” protest at the AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Addressing a massive crowd, PM Modi described the protest as an international embarrassment, noting that the summit was attended by delegates from over 80 countries and nearly 20 heads of state.
“Exposed and Bankrupt”
In a sharp rhetorical turn, the Prime Minister questioned the necessity of the provocative demonstration.
“I want to ask the Congress leaders — the nation already knows your true form (nange ho). What was the need to strip further?” PM Modi remarked, accusing the party of “dirty and shameless politics” (gandi aur nangi rajneeti) on a global stage.
He further alleged that while the government is working toward a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), the opposition is focused on defaming the country to target him personally. “Congress leaders hate Modi; they want to dig my grave. They don’t even hesitate to insult my mother,” he added.
Development vs. Disruption
The Prime Minister used the launch of the ₹12,930 crore infrastructure projects to contrast his government’s vision with the opposition’s tactics.
- Namo Bharat: The entire 82-km Delhi-Meerut corridor is now operational, reducing travel time significantly.
- Meerut Metro: Integrated with the RRTS, it is now India’s fastest metro system, operating at speeds of up to 120 kmph.
- Global Standing: PM Modi emphasized that international events like the AI Summit are meant to showcase India’s technological prowess, not to be used as arenas for domestic political stunts.
The Protest Fallout
The protest, which took place on February 20, involved IYC workers wearing T-shirts with slogans like “India-US Trade Deal Compromised” before stripping them off to chant anti-government slogans.
- Legal Action: A Delhi court has since sent four IYC workers to five days of police custody, citing a “premeditated intrusion” into a high-security zone.
- Political Backlash: Even allies of the Congress, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, have distanced themselves from the act, termed it “inappropriate” in front of foreign dignitaries.