Shantanu Deshpande, founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, shared a stark reflection on Indian work culture in a recent LinkedIn post. His unfiltered critique touched on the realities of the workforce, wealth inequities, and the deeply ingrained “work hard” ethos that has driven economies for centuries.

“If financial security were guaranteed, 99% wont show up to work the next day,” he stated, challenging the fundamental motivations that fuel the nation’s labor force. From gig workers to government employees, Deshpande observed a near-universal dissatisfaction, adding, “The story is the same. 19-20 ka farak.”

Deshpande didn’t hold back when discussing the wealth divide, highlighting how just 2,000 families control 18% of India’s wealth yet contribute far less than 1.8% of the country’s taxes. “That’s just INSANE,” he exclaimed. He questioned the morality of a system where the majority toil endlessly to sustain their families while a few benefit disproportionately.