After outrage, PhonePe CEO apologises for remarks against job quota for Kannadigas

BENGALURU:  After facing a lot of backlash from Kannadigas and netizens for his views on new the Karnataka Job Reservation Bill, PhonePe Chief Executive Officer Sameer Nigam apologised for hurting the feelings of Kannadigas and posted an apology on Sunday on X.

I” did not intend to insult Karnataka or Kannadigas. If my words have hurt anyone or caused any emotional distress, I sincerely apologise. I did not mean to hurt anyone’s feelings”, he said in a post on Sunday.

My personal statement, clarifying my views on the Karnataka draft job reservation bill and its unintended consequences. pic.twitter.com/vt5aLjmezK

— Sameer.Nigam (@_sameernigam) July 21, 2024

On July 17, the CEO of PhonePe expressed his dissatisfaction over Karnataka government’s proposed bill which mandates job reservation for Kannadigas. The bill proposed 50 per  cent reservation for administrative posts and 75 per cent for non-administrative posts for Kannadigas in private industries..

Following the Karnataka Cabinet nod for the reservation bill, Sameer posted his view on X and insulted Kannadigas using the word ‘Shame’. “I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ yrs. 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 25000+ jobs across India! My kids don’t deserve jobs in their home city? Shame”, he posted on X.

I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ yrs

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 25000+ jobs across India! My kids dont deserve jobs in their home city?

Shame.

— Sameer Nigam (@_sameernigam) July 17, 2024

The statement sparked controversy across Karnataka, and people expressed outrage against PhonePe and started making hate comments. Netizens also started a #BoycottPhonePe #uninstallphonepe hashtag campaign and tagged @PhonePe and @_sameernigam. The online campaign hit the company hard following which the CEO apologised to Kannadigas.

Sameer Nigam stated, “My personal statement, clarifying my views on the Karnataka draft job reservation bill and its unintended consequences”.

“I made a statement 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. I have the highest regard for Kannada, and all other Indian languages. In fact, I truly believe that linguistic diversity and rich cultural heritage are national assets that all Indians should be proud of; and all Indians should be respectful of and celebrate local and cultural norms”, he posted.