Vijayapura (PTI): Basangouda Patil Yatnal, a rebel MLA recently expelled from BJP, indicated on Sunday the possibility of launching a new "Hindu party" in Karnataka if the saffron party decides to continue B Y Vijayendra as state President and supports his father B S Yediyurappa's "dynasty politics".
Asserting that he was not against BJP -- which he still regards as "mother"-- nor against PM Narendra Modi, the former union minister said, he and his associates will start gathering public opinion on the need for a new party, and indicated the possibility of it coming into existence on Vijayadashami.
He repeatedly said that he has been getting messages from Hindu workers across the state, asking to form a "Hindu party" in Karnataka, as Hindus here are not safe under the present state BJP, which he accused of having "adjustment" with CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and other Congress leaders.
The BJP on Wednesday expelled Yatnal from the primary membership of the party for six years, for repeated violation of the party discipline.
"People who strongly advocate Hindutva are being suppressed in the party because of the selfishness of Yediyurappa's son, today even I'm suppressed because of the persistence of Vijayendra and Yediyurappa for the sake of their dynastic politics," Yatnal said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said that he still requests the party high command which is against the dynasty politics and corruption, that if they don't remove those indulging in adjustment politics, people of the state will lose faith in the BJP.
"If the high command decides to continue Vijayendra for the next term (as president) and the chief ministerial candidate for the next assembly polls, a time will come for the people of the state to take a strong decision for a new future for the development of the state, with people who are honest, not corrupt and those who protect Sanatana dharma," he added.
Noting that PM Modi repeatedly states in his speeches that there is no place for dynasty and adjustment politics and corruption in the BJP, Yatnal asked, "then why is Vijayendra still there? Vijayendra is corrupt and it is because of him Yediyurappa went to jail; There are allegations of forgery against him; his name is behind PSI and 40 per cent commission scam."
"If the party wants to continue with a family that is involved in several scams, the Hindus and Hindu karyakartas of this state will have to take a decision. We will start an awareness in this regard from today itself," he said.
People are suggesting building a new "Hindu party", as BJP couldn't protect Hindus now he said and cited instances of alleged attack on Hindu Karyakartas when Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister.
"Congress is a Muslim party, there is no need to speak about them, if BJP doesn't become Hindu party, the people of this state will make a historic decision. If you (BJP high command) give responsibility (of BJP) to Yediyurppa family BJP will face a humiliating defeat," he said, as he also accused Yediyurappa of betraying north Karnataka.
Making it clear that his fight was not against the BJP or PM Narendra Modi, Yatnal said, that if the country is secure today it is because of Modi he urged the party to give the state leadership to someone who is honest like Modi.
He asked the party leadership to come out of the feeling that there is no one else other than Yediyurappa and his family and that the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community will go away from the party if the party decides against them.
Stating that he and his associates will get a survey done and gather public opinion regarding the need for a party that will protect the Sanatana Hindu dharma that is pro development -- especially north Karnataka-- Yatnal said the people have already come forward to give donations for the new party.
"Will abide by the decision of the people. We are not finding a future here (in BJP). Yediyurappa family is conspiring to sideline Hindu leaders. If the people opine in favour of formation of a new party in Karnataka, on Vijayadashami, we will hundred per cent launch a new political setup in the state," he said.
Asserting that he had not indulged in any act of indiscipline while asking for proof of his indiscipline, the grounds on which he was expelled, Yatnal said, he never criticized BJP or Modi or party's ideology and never voted against the party's official candidate, nor had attended any Congress or JD(S) meetings.
"I'm not anti-BJP, I'm anti-Yediyurappa as Yediyurappa has betrayed the people of north Karnataka, he suppressed many including me for the sake of his son. I still regard BJP like my mother," he added.
Yatnal also claimed that Vijayendra and his supporters are worried about the latter being removed from the president post, following his expulsion. "They fear what if the high command decides for a tie, by taking action against Vijayendra too, after my expulsion."
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New Delhi: A Noida-based private University, Galgotias has come under severe criticism after allegedly showcasing a china-made robotic dog at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
Social media users accused the university of purchasing a commercial robot from China and presenting it as its own creation at the summit.
Reports claimed that the university showcased the Unitree Go2 robotic dog, an AI-powered device available on Chinese platforms for Rs 2–3 lakh, under the name “Orion” during the event in New Delhi.
“So Galgotia university purchased a commercially available robot worth Rs 2.5 lakhs, called it their own and passed it off in the Delhi AI Summit as a part of their 350 crore AI ecosystem..I literally have no words left,” wrote ‘X’ user Roshan Rai, sharing a video in which a DD News reporter interviewed a university official about the robotic dog.
So Galgotia university purchased a commercially available robot worth ₹2.5 lakhs, called it their own and passed it off in the Delhi AI Summit as a part of their 350 crore AI ecosystem 😭😭
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) February 17, 2026
I literally have no words left.
pic.twitter.com/tTozvotO5m
The viral post claimed that the robot closely resembles Unitree Go2, a quadruped robotic dog developed by Chinese company Unitree Robotics.
Screenshots attached to the post compared the robot displayed at the summit with the Unitree Go2 listing, priced at roughly 2,800 dollars (around Rs 2.3–2.5 lakhs).
According Unitree Robotics, The Unitree Go2 is widely used as a programmable quadruped robot for research, education, inspection, and development purposes, and is a common learning platform in universities and robotics labs worldwide.
Several users reiterated the claim.
🚨 Galgotias University again.
— Mr Sharma (@sharma_views) February 17, 2026
Showcased a commercially available $2,800 robot as an “AI breakthrough.”
No evidence of ₹350 crore original R&D.
This is how credibility erodes.
STOP EMBARRASSING INDIA ON THE WORLD STAGE. pic.twitter.com/SyJyIntRLa
This is Unitree Go2, an AI-powered Chinese robo dog that you can buy from Chinese websites for ₹2–3 lakh.
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) February 17, 2026
Galgotias University, Gr Noida, presented it as their multi-crore AI innovation by naming it Orion at the AI Summit. Even Ashwini Vaishnaw, the concerned minister, used… pic.twitter.com/0ZoIAJCors
Government of India funds for filing patents
Meanwhile, concerns were raised about alleged misuse of government funds.
User @sky_phd highlighted, “Galgotias University is once again in the spotlight. Under the guise of research and innovation, they are raking in plenty of money.”
The user claimed that the university took money under government funds, and wrote, “The Government of India provides incentive funding of up to five lakh rupees for filing patents.”
“To understand the patent filing process and the games being played with it, take a look at the list of top Indian institutions filing patents. All the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) together file only 803 patents, while institutions like Lovely Professional University, Jain Deemed-to-be University, Galgotias University, and Teerthanker Mahaveer University have filed more than a thousand patents each,” the user wrote, sharing a chart of patent filings by these universities.
“The basic international patent filing fee is $285–400. Through patent filings alone, these institutions are reportedly earning more than fifty crore rupees annually. However, while these universities file patents, they often do not pursue them further, and most patents ultimately do not get granted. This inflates filing numbers but does not reflect real innovation or recognized intellectual property,” the user added.
Galgotias University एक बार फिर चर्चा में है। रिसर्च और इनोवेशन के नाम पर खूब पैसा बना रहे है। भारत सरकार पेटेंट फाइल करने के लिए पाँच लाख रुपये तक की प्रोत्साहन राशि देती है।
— Santosh Yadav, Ph.D. (@sky_phd) February 17, 2026
पेटेंट फाइलिंग की प्रक्रिया और इसके खेल को समझने के लिए टॉप पेटेंट फाइल करने वाले भारतीय संस्थानों की… pic.twitter.com/6gv6HzwM1l
Another user pointed out about the selection criteria of the summit. The user questioned, “What exactly was the selection criteria for participation in this AI summit? .”
“Platforms meant to showcase India’s innovation should represent genuine research, original ideas, and credible institutions. So how did Galgotias University qualify to display a Chinese-made robot and present it as its own “innovation”? If true, this isn’t just embarrassing, it undermines the credibility of the entire summit and of India’s growing tech ecosystem. At a time when India is trying to position itself as a global AI and deep-tech leader, showcasing repackaged imports as indigenous innovation only damages trust. If we want the world to take India’s AI ambitions seriously, transparency and authenticity must come first,” the user added.
Serious question: What exactly was the selection criteria for participation in this AI summit?
— Adarsh (@OpinionKraft) February 17, 2026
Platforms meant to showcase India’s innovation should represent genuine research, original ideas, and credible institutions.
So how did Galgotias University qualify to display a… pic.twitter.com/WJRAgXTMf6
University clarifies after backlash
In response to the criticism, Galgotias University issued a clarification, stating that it “never claimed to have built the device” and that the robot was procured from a Chinese manufacturer for academic purposes.
“Let us be clear, Galgotias has not built this robodog, nor have we claimed to do so. What we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer, and manufacture such technologies in Bharat," the university said.
The university in its statement also pointed out that the Unitree Go2 is being used as a learning tool for students.
“From the US to China and Singapore, we bring advanced technologies to campus because exposure creates vision, and vision creates creators. The robodog is actively being used by students to test capabilities and explore real-world applications,” the university added.
— Galgotias University (@GalgotiasGU) February 17, 2026
University professor claims “it's developed by the Center of Excellence at the Galgotias University.”
In another video captured by DD News, a reporter showcased the Galgotias University pavilion at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
At the pavilion, the reporter spoke with the university professor about the technology on display.
The professor introduced the robot, saying, “This is Orion. You need to meet Orion. It has been developed by the Center of Excellence at Galgotias University.”
She added, “I would also like to brief you about Galgotias University. We are the first private university investing more than Rs 350 crore in artificial intelligence and have a dedicated data science and AI lab on campus.”
“Orion has been developed by our Center of Excellence. It can take all shapes and sizes and is quite playful. It can perform small tasks such as surveillance and monitoring. It can even execute movements like moonwalks and somersaults,” she explained.
She also claimed that, “This is India’s first iOS lab in North India at a university, giving our students hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.”
Have some shame, in this video ur Professor is clearly saying that it's developed by Galgotias University. pic.twitter.com/xt5MkL8KEN
— Aniruddh Sharma (@AniruddhINC) February 17, 2026
Reacting to the video social media users ridiculed the 350 cr rupees investment compared to the china made robo dog.
Past Controversies of the University
This is not the first time the university is in controversy. In May 2024, during the Lok Sabha elections, a video went viral showing students protesting outside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi against the party’s manifesto. The footage, captured by Aaj Tak, showed students struggling to articulate the purpose of their protest, raising questions about the demonstration’s intent.
Students of Galgotias University are holding a protest against Congress , failing to answer the reason behind it #getstrolled #GalgotiyaUniversity #protests #trolled
— the swipe (@theswipenews_) May 2, 2024
Credits - Aaj Tak pic.twitter.com/xo87HLvngL
Earlier, in 2017, students protested against the university management after being barred from appearing in exams due to low attendance, with allegations that fines were requested to allow attendance, a claim denied by the administration.
