Days after Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal expressed his opinion on non-binary pronouns, a debate ensued online when LinkedIn removed his post, stating it violated their ‘Professional Community Policies’. Aggarwal criticized LinkedIn for using Artificial Intelligence that he believes imposes a ‘political’ ideology on Indian users. He emphasized the need for India to develop its own tech and AI to prevent being influenced by other countries’ political agendas.
Aggarwal’s post received significant attention, with over 1,17,000 X users engaging with it and sharing their thoughts. Many users supported Aggarwal, commending him for speaking out against what they viewed as foreign influence through “wokeism” and corporate culture. Some users pointed out historical perspectives on pronouns, highlighting the evolving nature of language and its connection to societal norms and power dynamics.
On May 6, Aggarwal had referred to gender pronouns as an ‘illness’ in a post, questioning the relevance and necessity of using such language in Indian corporate culture. He shared an AI bot’s response to a query, suggesting that the practice of using gender pronouns has been adopted due to pressure from multinational corporations. Aggarwal advocated for upholding India’s cultural values of respect for all individuals without the need for new pronouns from different cultural contexts.
Aggarwal’s comments on gender pronouns ignited a debate on social media, with various individuals expressing their opinions on the topic. Some users agreed with Aggarwal, echoing his sentiments about foreign influence and the preservation of Indian cultural values. Others highlighted the importance of inclusivity and representation in language, emphasizing the significance of using gender-neutral pronouns to respect and acknowledge diverse identities.
LinkedIn’s decision to remove Aggarwal’s post raised questions about the platform’s policies regarding freedom of expression and the handling of contentious topics. Aggarwal’s response to the removal of his post underscored his belief in the importance of developing indigenous technology and AI to safeguard against external influences. The incident highlighted broader discussions around the intersection of technology, cultural values, and social issues in the global digital landscape.