Mohandas Pai Trends on Google Amid AI Centre Controversy

Mohandas Pai has surged to the top of Google search trends following a social media outburst criticizing the exclusion of Bengaluru from the government’s newly announced AI Centres of Excellence (CoE). The former Infosys CFO’s remarks have sparked a public debate, with Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu stepping in to counter Pai’s accusations, framing the issue as a merit-based decision rather than regional bias.

The controversy began when the Union Government unveiled plans for three AI CoEs focusing on healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities. The hubs are set to be located at AIIMS Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Ropar—prestigious institutions across northern and central India. However, Bengaluru, often hailed as India’s tech capital, was notably absent from the list, triggering backlash from the city’s tech community.

Mohandas Pai’s Outburst: "Bengaluru Feels Ignored"

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Pai voiced his frustration, accusing the central government of overlooking Bengaluru’s significant contributions to India’s tech economy.

“Minister @dpradhanbjp, nothing in Bengaluru, the technology capital of India? Why are you and @AshwiniVaishnaw ignoring the South in IT?” Pai posted, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers, including Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dharmendra Pradhan.

Pai pointed out that Bengaluru had politically supported the ruling NDA but was now receiving “stepmotherly treatment.”

“Bengaluru voted for NDA, but all we get is stepmotherly treatment. Citizens here are angry. Are we children of a lesser God?”

He also accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of neglecting Bengaluru’s development, alleging that it was not investing enough in the city’s infrastructure.

Sridhar Vembu Responds: “No Place for Politics”

A day after Pai’s remarks went viral, Sridhar Vembu, co-chair of the selection panel responsible for the AI CoE locations, responded publicly. He clarified that the panel made independent, merit-based choices without government interference.

“The responsibility for the decision lies with us on the committee—and personally with me. I beg people not to inject North-South politics into this,” Vembu wrote on X.

Vembu emphasized that the AIIMS-led healthcare consortium includes South Indian institutions such as IISc Bengaluru and IIT Madras, suggesting that Bengaluru was not entirely excluded from the larger AI initiative.

Google’s Manish Gupta Joins the North-South Debate

Backing Vembu, Manish Gupta, Director at Google DeepMind and a member of the selection panel, also defended the decision.

“We made our decisions based on what we felt was good for India,” Gupta posted from his Bengaluru office.

Gupta reaffirmed that the panel prioritized national interest over regional preferences, insisting that the chosen locations met the project’s objectives best.

Regional Discontent and Political Undercurrents

Despite these clarifications, Pai’s remarks have resonated with many Bengaluru residents, who see the decision as another example of the Centre’s neglect of South India. The incident has rekindled regional tensions, with complaints of marginalization becoming a recurring theme in discussions about national projects and policies.

A Growing North-South Divide?

As the Pai-Vembu exchange continues to trend online, it has sparked broader debates about the role of regional representation in national initiatives. Some fear that excluding Bengaluru from such high-profile projects could undermine the city’s reputation as India’s innovation hub.

This public spat between two prominent figures—Pai, representing India’s IT legacy, and Vembu, leading its entrepreneurial future—highlights the tensions beneath India’s development narrative.

Whether the AI CoE decision is seen as a missed opportunity for Bengaluru or a strategic choice based on merit, the controversy has ignited conversations that could shape future policies.

With technology leadership and regional identity intersecting, the debate has transcended the immediate issue of AI hubs, evolving into a symbol of regional aspiration and the need for balanced development across India.