'Against Karnataka's Interest': PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam Trolled For Post Against Quota Bill, Faces Boycott Call

Several social media users in Karnataka have begun boycotting the digital payments app PhonePe after its CEO and co-founder, Sameer Nigam, criticised the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s proposed job reservation bill.

Hashtags such as #UninstallPhonePe and #BoycottPhonePe started trending on the social media platform ‘X,’ with numerous users sharing screen recordings of uninstalling the digital payment app from their phone and urging others to join the campaign.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the PhonePe founder slammed the Karnataka government’s now-suspended private job quota bill. The bill aims to secure a portion of jobs in select private companies for local Kannada-speaking people.

“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 25000+ jobs across India! My kids don’t deserve jobs in their home city? Shame,” Nigam wrote in an X post.

The proposed bill mandated that 70 per cent of all non-management jobs and 50 per cent of all management positions in the private sector be reserved for locals. However, following widespread criticism, the government put the bill on hold a day later, stating it will be “revisited and decided in the coming days.”

Following Nigam’s comments, several Kannadigas were displeased. A user on X urged them to uninstall PhonePe and use GooglePay or other digital payment apps.

“Hi all Kannadigas, this guy is a Founder and CEO of PhonePe and he is openly against Kannadigas and interests of Karnataka. Please uninstall PhonePe in your mobiles and try to use GooglePay or any other Apps of your choice,” one user wrote.

Another user bid a final goodbye to the app: “I always preferred @PhonePe over any other UPI apps due to its Swadeshi origin. @_sameernigam, Karnataka helped you to grow up. You came here to build your career, not to improve Bengaluru. This is the time to say goodbye to PhonePe.”

Another user highlighted the discrepancy in local employment at PhonePe’s Bengaluru office: “This is the BENGALURU head office of @PhonePe which is located in Bellanduru. According to the law in Kannada Naadu, there should be 60% Kannada but you can’t find this anywhere @osd_cmkarnataka @bellandurubcp @Bbmpcares please impose fine and make it change.”

“It’s good Kannada people teach him a lesson by #UninstallPhonePe campaign he must apologise. Mr. @_sameernigam. Constitution of India doesn’t says to disrespect local language,” a user wrote, demanding an apology from the PhonePe CEO.