India at fulcrum of defending global conversation on AI: Naidu

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that India stands at the fulcrum of a defining global conversation on Artificial Intelligence.

In a posting on X, he said: "Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the world’s foremost AI visionaries, policymakers and industry leaders converged on our soil. With numerous global technology enterprises steered by Indians, this is not merely a moment of pride — it is a testament to India’s intellectual capital and its rising stature in shaping the future."

He stated that AI must be harnessed for path-breaking research, inclusive development and the larger good of humanity. Such occasions demand unity of purpose and maturity of conduct.

Hitting out at the Congress for staging a protest in front of the venue of India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, he said protests by the Congress at the summit venue are deeply unfortunate and ill-considered, reflecting a troubling disregard for national interest. "They diminish the dignity of our democratic discourse and cast our polity in an avoidable shadow before the international community. At moments that define India’s global leadership, we must rise above partisanship and speak with one voice for the nation’s progress," he stated on his X handle.

'Right to protest cannot disrupt public order': Delhi court on denying bail to Youth Congress members over shirtless protest

‘Protest should not harm the rights of others’

Meanwhile, a Delhi court observed that while the right to protest is a fundamental feature of democracy, it cannot be exercised in a manner that disrupts public order or harms the rights of others, particularly at an international event attended by foreign delegates.

The Patiala House Court made the observation on Saturday while remanding four Youth Congress members — Krishan Hari, Kundan, Ajay Kumar Singh, and Narsimha — to five days of police custody in connection with a shirtless protest during the AI Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.

As per the prosecution, the accused persons, in a "pre-planned conspiracy", gathered on February 20 at the high-security venue wearing T-shirts bearing the slogan "India US Trade Deal Compromised", raised provocative and anti-national slogans, created public disorder, and allegedly assaulted police officials on duty, resulting in injuries to three police personnel.

An FIR was registered at Tilak Marg police station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 61(2), 121(1), 132, 195(1), 221, 223(A), 190, 196, 197 and 3(5).

In its order, the court noted that the summit was "an international event attended by national and foreign delegates" and that the accused had allegedly orchestrated a "premeditated intrusion into the high-security precincts of Bharat Mandapam during the premier international conclave hosting global delegates and dignitaries".

Rejecting the contention that the act amounted to protected dissent under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, Judicial Magistrate First Class Ravi said: "The right to protest and dissent is fundamental to democracy, enshrined under Article 19(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution. However, it is not absolute and subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) and (3) for sovereignty, public order and decency."

In a statement, the youth wing of the opposition Congress said the demonstration was meant to highlight concerns that "corporate interests are being prioritised over national interests" and alleged that the government’s foreign policy stance had weakened. The group also linked the protest to economic issues such as rising prices and joblessness, claiming that young people were increasingly frustrated.