A recent comment by Microsoft founder Bill Gates has taken Indian social media by storm. In a podcast, the American billionaire called India a “kind of laboratory to try things.”
Indian netizens backlashes
A small clip of 59 seconds from the podcast shared on X (formerly Twitter) sparked heated discussion among netizens.
“India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill Gates,” wrote an X user. “This person has managed everyone from the Government to opposition parties to the media. His office operates here without FCRA, and our education system has made him a hero! I don't know when we will wake up!”
“India is an example of a country where there's plenty of things that are difficult there - the health, nutrition, education is improving and they are stable enough and generating their own government revenue enough that it's very likely that 20 years from now people will be dramatically better off and it's kind of a laboratory to try things that then when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places,” the user further added.
Another netizen told Bill Gates to “Please stay out of India ...”
Someone else remarked, “Something we need to look into ourselves too. Why we giving things away.”
Another user commented, “It’s clear. Bill Gates and his influence have way too much power, and the people deserve leaders who will stand up to it.”
Another X user wrote, “India is a complex country and if any human development program is successful here, there is a good chance it will succeed in many other places. It will also give indians a lead in running development programs successfully.”
Someone else labeled Bill’s comment as a “Colonial hangover”.
Although one user defended Gates and explained that he was talking about development, “Context is different…he’s talking about development.”
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