Prakasam

Leaders and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party staged a protest in Ongole on Saturday, objecting to remarks made by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gandhi had alleged that the Prime Minister had been “compromised” in connection with tariff measures imposed by US President Donald Trump. In response, BJP members organised a demonstration outside the local office of the Indian National Congress in Prakasam district.

Congress workers also gathered at the site, leading to a counter-protest and heightened tensions in the area. The situation escalated when BJP activists attempted to burn an effigy of Rahul Gandhi. Police personnel intervened promptly to prevent clashes and dispersed members of both groups.

Suresh Varam, president of the district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, criticised the Congress and accused its leadership of attempting to tarnish the government’s image. Referring to the recent protest by Indian Youth Congress members at the India AI Impact Summit, he claimed that the opposition was uneasy about the achievements of the BJP-led central government.

Meanwhile, developments continued in the national capital over the AI Summit protest. The Patiala House Court granted five days’ police custody of four Indian Youth Congress members — Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narsingh — who were arrested after staging a demonstration at Bharat Mandapam on Friday.

The protesters had removed their shirts to reveal slogans reading “Compromised PM” during the summit, which was attended by international delegates. In a statement, the Indian Youth Congress said the demonstration was aimed at opposing what it described as compromises affecting national interests.

Delhi Police, however, told the court that the accused raised objectionable slogans and sought to disrupt an international event, arguing that the protest was intended to damage the country’s image.

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Authorities continue to investigate the incident as legal proceedings move forward.