Karnataka Chief Minister Launches Scathing Attack on Central Government
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has unleashed a fierce critique against the Narendra Modi-led central government, accusing it of engaging in "copy-paste" tactics not only with policies but now with technology as well. The controversy erupted following a major incident at the AI Impact Summit India 2026, where a BJP-linked institution allegedly presented a Chinese robotic dog as an indigenous Indian innovation.
International Embarrassment for India
Siddaramaiah stated that this incident has resulted in significant "international embarrassment" for the nation on a global platform. The Chief Minister took to social media platform X to express his outrage, posting a detailed critique accompanied by visual evidence from the event.
"Narendra Modi and the BJP don't believe in 'Make in India'. They believe in 'Fake in India'," Siddaramaiah declared in his post, which has since garnered substantial attention across political and tech circles.
The AI Summit Controversy Unfolds
The controversy centers around Galgotias University's participation at the AI Impact Summit India 2026, where the institution was showcasing student-led startups. According to reports and subsequent Chinese media exposure, one of the displayed innovations—a robotic dog—was actually a product manufactured in China, not an Indian creation as presented.
This revelation quickly turned what was meant to be a showcase of Indian technological prowess into what Siddaramaiah described as a "spectacle" of deception. The timing was particularly damaging as the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence innovation.
Institutional Fallout and Political Ramifications
Following the exposure and ensuing controversy, the university was reportedly asked to vacate the Expo premises. This development has added fuel to the political fire, with Siddaramaiah connecting the incident to broader patterns of what he characterizes as the Modi government's approach to governance and innovation.
The Karnataka Chief Minister's criticism extends beyond this single incident, suggesting a pattern of behavior where the central government "copied UPA schemes" and is now applying similar "copy-paste" methodology to technology and innovation claims.
Broader Implications for Indian Innovation
This incident raises serious questions about the authenticity of innovation claims at major international tech events and the verification processes in place. The AI Impact Summit, meant to be a prestigious platform for showcasing India's technological advancements, has instead become mired in controversy over intellectual honesty and national representation.
Siddaramaiah's comments highlight growing concerns about the gap between political rhetoric surrounding "Make in India" and the reality of technological development and presentation. The episode has sparked discussions about accountability, transparency, and the need for rigorous verification of innovation claims at such high-profile events.
As the political fallout continues, this incident serves as a reminder of how technology and innovation have become increasingly politicized arenas, with significant implications for India's international reputation in the competitive field of artificial intelligence development.
