The passing of Ratan Tata has deeply impacted the nation, with many tech leaders sharing heartfelt tributes. However, Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s tribute on social media platform X quickly became controversial, forcing him to delete the post after receiving criticism.
On Wednesday, after the news of Tata’s passing, Vijay Shekhar Sharma posted his tribute to the late industrialist. In his message, he praised Tata as “a legend who will inspire every generation.” However, the closing line, “Ok Tata Bye Bye,” drew significant backlash. Many found the remark inappropriate and disrespectful, given the context of Tata’s death.
Social media users were quick to criticize Sharma’s post. Comments like, “It must have been written by an intern,” and, “This is inappropriate,” flooded the post. Many felt that the tribute, especially the “Ok Tata Bye Bye” phrase, was tone-deaf. Amidst the backlash, Sharma promptly deleted the post, but screenshots of it continued circulating on X.
In the wake of this social media controversy, Ratan Tata’s final rites took place with full state honors in Mumbai. Prominent figures, including Home Minister Amit Shah, attended the ceremony on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently at the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits in Laos. Modi had previously honored Tata, calling him “an extraordinary human being.”
This incident highlights the importance of being mindful when posting on sensitive topics, especially about respected figures like Ratan Tata. Sharma’s experience serves as a reminder that words matter, especially in times of national mourning.
