AGARTALA — Members of the Tripura Pradesh Mahila Morcha set fire to an effigy of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday to protest what they called a disruptive stunt by Youth Congress activists at a major artificial intelligence conference.

The action took place in front of the Tripura Congress Bhavan. Dozens of women party workers gathered, chanting slogans and demanding an apology from Congress leaders. Police monitored the event, which stayed peaceful throughout.

Mimi Majumder, president of the Mahila Morcha and a local MLA, led the charge. She addressed reporters at the site, slamming the Youth Congress protest as shameful and damaging to India’s global standing.

“India is surging ahead economically and positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence,” Majumder said. “The India AI Impact Summit in Delhi drew representatives from more than 100 countries. It highlighted our digital achievements. Then Congress workers strip to their waists and create a scene. That’s embarrassing on an international stage.”

Majumder accused Rahul Gandhi of routinely tarnishing India’s image with his overseas comments. She tied the summit disruption to a broader pattern of behavior that voters have rejected, pointing to Congress’s fading influence in politics.

“We condemn these antics outright,” she added. “The public has spoken through the ballot box.”

The target of their ire stemmed from an earlier incident at the India AI Impact Summit. Youth Congress members reportedly protested shirtless, drawing widespread criticism for interrupting proceedings at the high-profile event focused on AI’s role in national development.

Organizers of the summit had gathered tech leaders, policymakers, and international delegates in New Delhi to discuss AI’s significant potential. Congress officials have not yet responded to the Mahila Morcha’s protest or the effigy burning. Party workers dispersed after about an hour, leaving behind charred remains of the effigy.

Tripura’s political scene often sees such symbolic protests. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which runs the Mahila Morcha wing, holds power in the northeastern state. Rivalries with Congress run deep, especially over national issues like technology and economic policy.

Majumder, elected from the Bagbasa constituency, has emerged as a vocal critic of opposition tactics. Her group plans more events to highlight what they view as Congress obstructionism amid India’s tech boom.