India's High Commission in London has strongly condemned the disruption of an event attended by Surya Kant, describing the conduct of some audience members as "indecorous" and inconsistent with respectful public discourse. The incident occurred during a lecture delivered by the chief justice at Birkbeck College on June 4, where he spoke on the topic of artificial intelligence and international law.

During the question-and-answer session following the lecture, several attendees attempted to raise issues unrelated to the subject under discussion. Questions were reportedly directed at concerns over dissent in India and remarks previously made by the chief justice. Event moderators intervened and informed the participants that their questions fell outside the scope of the lecture, which focused on the legal and international implications of artificial intelligence.

Videos from the event later circulated widely on social media. In one clip, a woman in the audience referred to India's democratic record and concerns raised by some legal observers regarding dissent. Before the question could proceed further, the moderator politely interrupted, stating that only questions relevant to artificial intelligence and international law would be entertained. The organizers subsequently moved on to other participants.

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Reacting to the incident, the Indian High Commission issued a statement criticizing the disruption and emphasizing that differences of opinion should be expressed through civil and respectful engagement. The mission said that while debate and discussion are essential components of democratic societies, public events must maintain decorum and remain focused on their intended subject matter.

In his address, Chief Justice Surya Kant highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence on governance, commerce, warfare, public administration, and judicial systems. He described AI as a transformative force that is reshaping modern societies and stressed that technological advancements must remain guided by constitutional principles, democratic accountability, and human dignity. He also warned that decisions taken in the current decade would play a crucial role in defining the future relationship between technology, freedom, justice, and state power.

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