Shantanu Deshpande, the founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, recently shared a thought-provoking critique of India’s wealth inequality on LinkedIn. In his post, Deshpande called the economic divide between the rich and the poor in India “insane,” pointing out that a mere 2,000 families hold a staggering 18% of the country’s wealth while contributing only 1.8% of the taxes.
Although Deshpande expressed uncertainty over the accuracy of these numbers, he highlighted that this concentration of wealth is disproportionately high and serves as a prime example of the growing economic disparity in the country. He suggested that these families are part of a larger group that promotes the narrative of “work hard and climb up,” a self-serving idea that ignores the systemic issues behind wealth inequality.
The Work Culture in India: A Necessary Evil
Shantanu Deshpande also reflected on the discontent that many Indians experience at work, noting that the majority of people are working not out of passion, but out of necessity. “Most people don’t like their jobs,” Deshpande said. He went on to theorise that, if financial security were guaranteed for all, 99% of people would not show up for work the next day. This, he argues, speaks to a deep dissatisfaction with the nature of modern work.
According to Deshpande, work has become a form of “majboori” (compulsion) for people to provide for their families — spouses, children, and elderly parents. He questioned the logic behind a system that requires people to be away from their families all day long, sometimes for days or weeks, in exchange for a paycheck.
The Discomforting Truth of Economic Structures
In his post, Deshpande questioned the longstanding societal norms that have shaped work culture for centuries. “For 250+ years, it has been normal to tear people away from their families to work, all for the promise of a paycheck,” he wrote. As a business leader and a member of the privileged few, he admitted that this arrangement has often gone unquestioned, yet he has begun to reconsider its fairness.
He criticised the narrative pushed by wealthy families and corporations, which suggests that hard work will eventually lead to success, emphasising that this system is self-serving for those at the top. Shantanu Deshpande acknowledged that, while it may be easy for him to question the current work culture from his position, the lack of alternatives has left many workers with no choice but to follow this path.
A Divisive Conversation
Deshpande’s comments sparked a divisive debate among LinkedIn users. While some agreed with his viewpoint on wealth inequality and the flawed work culture, others disagreed, arguing that the essential work that drives the nation forward — such as that performed by farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, and street vendors — would still be carried out even if financial security were guaranteed for all.
Some users felt that Deshpande’s statement did not adequately capture the resilience of workers who continue to show up for their jobs despite economic hardships. Others suggested that nations are built by a broader range of people, not just corporate employees, and that work has a higher purpose than financial survival alone.
Deshpande’s post has undeniably triggered a broader discussion about India’s economic structures and the fairness of its work culture. It calls into question the value placed on hard work in a system that disproportionately benefits the rich while leaving millions of workers struggling to survive. As India continues to confront these disparities, Deshpande’s reflections may help shape the discourse surrounding work, wealth, and social inequality in the country.
While Shantanu Deshpande’s post has generated mixed reactions, it serves as an important reflection on the ongoing challenges faced by the majority of India’s workforce. It raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of current economic and work practices and the deep-seated issues of inequality in India’s society.
