Congress leader Pawan Khera targeted the government over the Galgotias University “robodog” controversy during the AI Impact Summit 2026. Khera expressed that the summit, intended as a platform for innovation and idea exchange, was reduced to a mere “cheap China Bazaar” by the ruling BJP.

He took to X to voice his discontent, directing specific criticism at Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw. In his post, Khera remarked, “In India, AI means ‘Ashwini is Incompetent,’ suggesting a lack of effective leadership at the event.

Government’s Response to the Controversy

During a press interaction, S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), articulated the need for genuine work to be showcased at expos like AI Summit 2026. He emphasized that misinformation must not thrive at such platforms and avoided taking sides concerning Galgotias University’s situation. The school’s representatives were asked to vacate their stall amid the controversy surrounding their exhibition of a “Chinese” robodog. Krishnan stated that it was essential to maintain a certain code during these events to prevent any misunderstandings or controversies.

Galgotias University Responds to Criticism

The staff and officials of Galgotias University vacated their stall at the India AI Impact Summit following the incident. Nitin Kumar Gaur, the Registrar, released a statement apologizing for the confusion caused at the event. He noted that one of the university representatives had provided incorrect information concerning the robodog’s origins due to a lack of understanding. Gaur reiterated the university’s commitment to academic integrity and declared that there was no intention to mislead attendees about their work.

Clarifications on the Robodog’s Development

In an effort to clarify the situation, Gaur addressed comments made about the university’s role in the robodog’s development. He explained that the institution had engaged in work related to the robot for academic and research purposes, rather than its creation. Gaur described the terms “develop” and “development” as sources of confusion, asserting that their involvement was meant for research initiatives.

Understanding the Miscommunication

The controversy escalated following a viral video where Professor Neha Singh presented the robodog, named “Orion,” at the AI expo. Gaur noted that there might have been a misunderstanding regarding the terminology used in Singh’s introduction. He emphasized that the university intended to use the robot as a tool for educational research. Gaur further explained that if the robot was from China, it was acquired for academic purposes, and that proper communication regarding product origins was not received. He aimed to clarify the university’s intentions while appealing for understanding regarding the incident.

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