Bill Gates Faces Backlash for Calling India a 'Laboratory' During Podcast
Former Microsoft CEO and philanthropist Bill Gates has sparked controversy with remarks he made during a podcast with Reid Hoffman. Gates referred to India as a “kind of laboratory to try things,” which angered many people online.
During the podcast, Gates said, “India is a country with challenges in health, nutrition, and education, but it is improving. It’s stable and generates its own government revenue, making it likely that in 20 years, people’s lives will improve a lot. It’s kind of a laboratory to try things that, once successful in India, can be applied elsewhere.”
India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill Gates
— Vijay Patel
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! pic.twitter.com/dxuCvQ44gg(@vijaygajera) December 2, 2024
These comments went viral and drew sharp criticism on social media. A video of the interview shared by Vijay Patel added to the backlash. Patel wrote, “India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill Gates. He influences everyone, from the government to the media, and operates here without proper scrutiny. When will we wake up?”
Public Reaction
Social media users called Gates’ comments disrespectful. One person said, “Are we a small country for experiments? Why don’t we act like the big country we claim to be?” Another added, “This school dropout should be banned from entering India.”
Many demanded more oversight of Gates’ activities in India. One user wrote, “We don’t need Gates in India. He’s out of touch and has no value here anymore.”
This controversy has reignited debates about foreign involvement in India’s development. While Gates has contributed to various causes, his comments have raised concerns about how India is viewed globally.
