PhonePe CEO Offers Apology Over Karnataka Job Quota Bill Remarks

PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam issued an unconditional apology on Sunday following backlash over his comments on Karnataka's job quota bill. Nigam clarified that he never intended to offend the state or its people. His remarks had sparked criticism and boycott calls on social media.

Representative image

Nigam emphasised PhonePe's deep connection to Bengaluru, stating, "PhonePe was born in Bengaluru, and we are incredibly proud of our roots in this city." He highlighted the city's reputation for world-class technology talent and vibrant diversity.

Apology and Clarification

In his statement, Nigam said, "I read some recent media articles relating to a few personal comments 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." He added, "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 also expressed his respect for Kannada and other Indian languages. He stated, "I have the highest regard for Kannada and all other Indian languages. I truly believe that linguistic diversity and rich cultural heritage are national assets that all Indians should be proud of."

PhonePe's Growth and Commitment

Nigam highlighted PhonePe's growth from Bengaluru over the past decade. The company has expanded across India, delivering secure digital payments to over 55 crore Indians. He praised Bengaluru's status as India's Silicon Valley, noting its culture of innovation and attraction of brilliant minds from Karnataka and beyond.

He acknowledged the supportive business environment provided by Karnataka's government and local populace. "Without an inclusive ecosystem and progressive policies, Bengaluru would not have become a global technology superpower," he said.

Employment Opportunities

Nigam stressed PhonePe's commitment to diversity and meritocracy-based employment opportunities. "As a company, we thrive on celebrating diversity. We have always tried hard to deliver fair, unbiased, and meritocracy-based employment opportunities for all Indians—including all local Kannadigas," he said.

He believes this approach helps create societal and economic value for Bengaluru, Karnataka, and India. Nigam added that Indian startups in Bengaluru compete against global giants like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft by employing the best talent based on technology skills.

Future Goals

Nigam expressed his desire to create more jobs in Bengaluru and Karnataka through dialogue and discussion. "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," he said.

Last week, Nigam's post on the controversial job quota bill had triggered a social media backlash. He had questioned whether his children deserved jobs in Karnataka despite his family's extensive contributions to job creation across India.

His post read: "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."

The post led to massive trolling as social media users in Karnataka lashed out at Nigam and called for a boycott of PhonePe.

Nigam concluded by urging everyone to work together meaningfully to create long-term impact through sustainable employment opportunities.