Youth Congress shirtless stir poor judgment: Babul
Times of India | 23 February 2026
Kolkata: Criticising Youth Congress's shirtless protests at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, Bengal IT minister Babul Supriyo on Sunday posted on X, "Political differences can be fought relentlessly but never at the expense of the nation's honour and dignity."
The minister's statement was shared by Trinamool on X, indicating that the party endorsed his views. Supriyo's X post said: "The shirtless protest by members of the Indian Youth Congress at the AI Summit reflects poor judgement. At a forum attended by international leaders and global business figures, such conduct sends the wrong message about our national priorities."
He added, "Democracy guarantees the right to protest but it also demands responsibility. When representing India before the world, partisan theatrics must give way to maturity and restraint."
Supriyo's statement, however, ran contrary to TMC's Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra's reaction on the matter.
Replying to two posts criticising the protests, Moitra on Saturday had posted on X: "I disagree. Peaceful protest at international events (even badly organised ones) happened globally since one can remember. India was not disgraced by a few young people holding up placards but by shameful disorganisation, delegates walking miles, no water, no clean toilets, Galgotias fiasco, PM grabbing Altman. Let's not miss the woods for the trees."