Nahi Dhulenge’: OLA CEO Bhavish Aggarwal takes Holy Dip at Mahakumbh, faces trolls

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal recently took a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and shared pictures on social media, calling it a moment of "deep spirituality, devotion, reflection, and connection to our civilisational roots." However, his post quickly became the target of online trolls. Many mocked him for the pictures and made fun of his actions.

In the photos, Bhavish Aggarwal is seen participating in the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. While he spoke about the spiritual experience, the post sparked a lot of reactions from social media users. Some users sarcastically connected his spiritual actions to his company's performance. One person wrote, “Your company is taking a new dip every week.” Another user made a joke about his past actions, saying, “Bhai, tere paapon ki koi maafi nahi hai,” which translates to “Brother, there’s no forgiveness for your sins.”

Several others mocked him by connecting his spiritual act to the struggles of his company. One person humorously commented, "Nahi dhulega," which means "It won’t wash away." Another user joked, saying, “Ola scooter ko bhi duba dete toh sayad acha hoo jaata,” suggesting that even the Ola scooters, which have faced many issues, could have benefited from a dip in the holy waters.

Earlier controversy

This is not the first time Bhavish Aggarwal has been involved in controversy. Earlier, he faced criticism for his views on work-life balance, where he dismissed the traditional concept. His controversial statements had already made him the subject of online discussions, and this latest incident only added to the ongoing attention.

Aggarwal’s Maha Kumbh dip became a talking point, but not for the reasons he might have hoped. Many people found the situation ironic, as he was seen as a person dealing with multiple business challenges, especially in the competitive world of electric vehicles and ride-hailing services.

Bhavish Aggarwal's online presence also attracted attention earlier this week when he got into a social media argument with comedian Kunal Kamra. The debate started after Aggarwal praised a podcast by Amish Tripathi, an author, titled “Sati - Fact or Fiction?” The podcast mentioned that while it was hard to find proof of Sati (the ancient practice of widow burning), it was easy to find evidence of witch burning in medieval Europe.

Kunal Kamra, known for his sharp wit and political commentary, responded to Aggarwal’s post by pointing out that the practice of Sati had been abolished in India in 1829 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Kamra criticized Aggarwal for bringing up such topics instead of focusing on his company, which had faced significant issues with its products, especially Ola’s electric scooters. Kamra joked that instead of discussing historical events, Aggarwal should focus on making sure his automobiles are moving.

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In response, Amish Tripathi stepped into the debate, defending Aggarwal. On X (formerly known as Twitter), Tripathi addressed Kamra’s comments, saying that he usually avoids online arguments but felt it was important to clarify the situation. He invited Kamra to read the 1829 Sati Abolishment Act that Kamra had referred to and said that Kamra’s tone in the discussion lacked politeness.

Aggarwal’s business challenges

While Aggarwal’s social media interactions grab headlines, his company, Ola, has been facing its own challenges. Ola Electric, which manufactures electric scooters, has faced issues with its products, leading to public criticism and discussions about their quality. Some customers have reported problems with the scooters, including technical issues that have led to accidents. These problems have hurt Ola’s reputation and caused a drop in customer confidence.

In addition to product issues, the ride-hailing service Ola has also faced competition from other services like Uber and local taxi services, further challenging its growth in the market. Despite these obstacles, Aggarwal has continued to make bold statements about his company’s goals and future.

Bhavish Aggarwal’s actions, both online and offline, have often placed him in the middle of controversies. Whether it is his views on work-life balance, his social media posts, or his company’s struggles, he remains a figure who sparks conversation. While his Maha Kumbh dip was meant to be a spiritual moment, it quickly turned into a subject of online jokes and mockery. His social media feud with Kunal Kamra only added fuel to the fire.

Aggarwal’s company faces significant challenges, but he continues to push forward, seeking to overcome the difficulties in both business and public perception. However, it’s clear that his journey, both in business and online, will continue to be full of debates, jokes, and moments of controversy.