India, Feb. 22 -- Akhilesh Yadav, chief of the Samajwadi Party and an ally of the Indian National Congress within the INDIA bloc, on Saturday criticised the Indian Youth Congress for staging a "shirtless" protest during the AI Impact Summit, saying the act brought "shame" to the country in front of foreign delegates.

Speaking to reporters in Jhansi, Yadav said political differences should not be aired in a manner that embarrasses the nation on an international stage.

The controversy erupted after Youth Congress workers on Friday protested inside Bharat Mandapam, waving T-shirts with slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The protest quickly snowballed into a political row, triggering counter-protests and clashes between Bharat...