PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam recently faced a social media backlash after criticizing Karnataka’s job quota bill on X. The controversy led to trending hashtags like #BoycottPhonePe and #UninstallPhonePe. In response, Sameer Nigam issued apology to address the concerns of Kannadigas and the broader Indian community.
PhonePe CEO and co-founder Sameer Nigam has issued an unconditional apology on July 21st following a backlash over his remarks on Karnataka’s job quota bill. The digital payments platform found itself at the center of controversy after Nigam’s comments sparked a widespread #BoycottPhonePe campaign on social media.
Background of the Controversy
The issue began when Sameer Nigam expressed his dissatisfaction with the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024. This proposed bill mandates that private firms reserve a portion of jobs for locals. Nigam’s remarks, posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioned the fairness of the bill for individuals who, like him, have lived in multiple states due to their parents’ work.
“I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ years. My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don’t deserve jobs in Karnataka? I build companies. Have created 25,000+ jobs across India! My kids don’t deserve jobs in their home city? Shame,” Nigam had posted on X.
These comments led to an outpouring of criticism from various quarters, especially pro-Kannada groups and individuals who accused Nigam of being insensitive to the local population’s needs. The hashtags #UninstallPhonePe and #BoycottPhonePe trended throughout the day, with many users calling for a boycott of the app.
Sameer Nigam’s Apology Statement
In response to the backlash, Sameer Nigam released a personal statement offering an apology. He expressed regret if his comments had hurt anyone’s sentiments and clarified that his intention was never to insult Karnataka and its people.
“PhonePe was born in Bengaluru and we are incredibly proud of our roots in this city, which is well known for its world-class technology talent and vibrant diversity. From Bengaluru, over the past decade, we have expanded across the length and breadth of India and been able to deliver secure and efficient digital payments for over 55 Crore Indians,” Nigam stated.
He further emphasized the importance of Bengaluru in the growth of PhonePe and acknowledged the supportive business environment provided by Karnataka’s government and its people.
“Bengaluru’s reputation as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ is truly well-deserved. The city thrives on an incredible culture of innovation and attracts the most brilliant young minds from Karnataka and the rest of India. As a company, we are deeply grateful for the supportive business environment that Karnataka’s governments and its local Kannadiga populace have offered us. Without such an inclusive ecosystem and progressive policies, Bengaluru would not have become a global technology superpower,” Nigam added.
Celebrating Diversity and Meritocracy
Sameer Nigam also highlighted PhonePe’s commitment to diversity and meritocracy, stating that the company has always strived to deliver fair and unbiased employment opportunities for all Indians, including local Kannadigas.
“As a company, we also thrive on celebrating diversity. We have always tried hard to deliver fair, unbiased, and meritocracy-based employment opportunities for all Indians – including to all local Kannadigas. We believe such an approach gives every Indian a good job a chance to shine and ultimately helps create more societal and economic value for Bengaluru, Karnataka, and India,” Nigam further said.
Clarification and Apology
Addressing the specific remarks that triggered the backlash, Nigam reiterated his highest regard for Kannada and all other Indian languages. He emphasized the importance of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage as national assets that should be respected and celebrated.
“I read some recent media articles relating to a few personal comments that I made last week regarding the draft job reservation bill. I would first and foremost like to clarify that it was NEVER my intention to insult Karnataka and its people. If my comments hurt anyone’s sentiments in such a way, I am truly sorry and would like to offer you an unconditional apology,” Nigam explained.
Corporate Perspective on Hiring
From a corporate perspective, Nigam stressed the importance of hiring the best available talent based on their skills and proficiency to compete on a global stage. He pointed out that this approach is crucial for building world-class companies that can compete with global giants like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft.
“Bengaluru’s Indian startups are competing against trillion-dollar giants like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. To do so, these companies must be able to employ the very best talent available in India purely based on their technology skills and proficiency in fields such as Coding, Design, Product Management, Data Sciences, Machine Learning, AI, and beyond. As a nation, that is the only way we can build world-class companies that can compete in the global village that we live in today,” Nigam noted.
Commitment to Creating Jobs in Karnataka
Sameer Nigam also expressed his commitment to creating job opportunities in Bengaluru and Karnataka. He called for more dialogue and discussion to find ways to create sustainable employment avenues that can generate long-term impact.
“I also want to help create lakhs of jobs for Bengaluru and Karnataka. And, I believe with more dialogue and discussion, we can find ways to create more sustainable employment avenues. Let’s all work together to do this meaningfully and while creating long-term impact,” Nigam concluded.
Controversial Bill and Industry Response
The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, has been a topic of intense debate. The bill mandates that 50% of the candidates working in management roles and 70% in non-management roles in any factory or industry should be locals. Additionally, candidates who did not study Kannada in secondary school are required to pass a Kannada language proficiency test.
The bill faced criticism not only from business leaders like Sameer Nigam but also from various industry bodies. They argued that the mandated reservations could stifle growth, impact job creation, and potentially force companies to relocate. Nasscom, representing the IT industry, raised concerns that the reservation policy could hamper the sector’s development and lead to significant challenges for businesses operating in Karnataka.
Responding to the backlash, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the bill would be temporarily put on hold.
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Public Opinion and Future Steps
The controversy surrounding the Karnataka job quota bill and Sameer Nigam’s comments has sparked a significant debate. While Nigam’s apology aims to mend relations and clarify his stance, the issue remains a contentious topic.
What are your thoughts on the job quota bill and its implications for the private sector? Share your opinions and join the discussion. The future of the bill remains uncertain as stakeholders from the government, industry, and the public continue to engage in discussions to find a balanced solution that promotes local employment without stifling business growth.
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