Politics

Grotesque Betrayal of National Dignity’: Ex-Judges, officials slam Bharat Mandapam Protest

'Not Dissent, But Sabotage’: Strong Words From Retired Officials

February 24, 2026

270+ Former Judges Tear Into Summit Protest — “National Disgrace”

Over 270 sign joint statement calling AI summit disruption a ‘grotesque betrayal of national dignity’

More than 270 former judges and retired civil and police officials have strongly condemned the Indian Youth Congress’s shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit, describing it as a “national disgrace”.

In a joint statement titled “A National Disgrace at Bharat Mandapam”, the signatories termed the demonstration a “grotesque betrayal of national dignity” at a time when India was hosting global technology leaders and international delegates.

Among those who signed the statement are former Delhi High Court judge Justice S N Dhingra and retired IPS officer and former Tripura Director General of Police B L Vohra.

‘Premeditated act of sabotage’

The statement asserted that the protest was “not a spontaneous expression of dissent” but rather “a premeditated act of sabotage.” It alleged that protesters entered the venue using legitimate QR-coded passes before engaging in what it described as “vulgar sloganeering.”

According to the signatories, the timing and location of the protest amplified its impact, causing “disproportionate damage” to India’s global image. The AI Impact Summit, they noted, was meant to showcase the country’s technological advancements and innovation ecosystem.

“For any political entity to use an international summit as a backdrop for a topless ruckus is to tell the world that India is a land of chaos rather than a sophisticated global power,” the statement said.

‘Hurts the nation, not the government’

The former officials warned that such incidents could undermine investor confidence and diplomatic goodwill, particularly when India is positioning itself as a key player in emerging technologies.

“It mocks the hard work of our scientists, the aspirations of our engineers, and the hospitality of 1.4 billion citizens,” the statement read.

While acknowledging that democratic protest is a fundamental right, the signatories argued that it must not cross into actions that “publicly embarrass the nation.”

“Democratic protest is sacred, but it is not a license for anarchy or the public humiliation of the nation,” the statement said, adding that genuine opposition should be expressed through “intellectual rigor and parliamentary debate.”

Calling the episode a “pathetic display of brainless politics,” the signatories concluded that the protest “did not hurt a government; it hurt a nation.”

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