Ashneer Grover mocks Sridhar Vembu's 'return to India' post, calls it 'delulu'
Ashneer Grover's blunt rebuttal to Sridhar Vembu's post urging Indians in America to return home has grabbed the internet's attention.
A post by Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urging Indians in the US to return home has drawn a sharp reaction from entrepreneur Ashneer Grover, reigniting the debate around migration, opportunity, and the realities of living in India.
Vembu shared an X post with what he called an “open letter” to Indians in America, reflecting on how many had arrived there with limited means but strong education and values from India.
While acknowledging the opportunities the US offered, Vembu pointed to a growing sentiment among some Americans that Indians “take away” jobs, and argued that migrants often find themselves caught in a polarised political landscape.
He went on to make a broader case for returning to India, linking global respect for Indians to the country’s own progress. “Respect in today’s world comes from one source: a nation’s technological prowess,” he wrote, adding that India continues to export much of its talent. “As difficult as it is for many of you to contemplate this, please come back home. Bharat Mata needs your talent,” he said.
The post quickly caught attention, but it was Grover’s response that added a contrasting note.
“What delulu!” the former BharatPe co-founder wrote, dismissing the idea. He went on to underline practical concerns, adding, “Record breaking heat in India is clearly making people dizzy. Just DON’T, be scientific in your approach. Look at numbers. $1 = Rs 94. Temperature = 50C.”
See the post here:
Grover’s reply reframed the conversation around economics and quality of life, rather than sentiment or national duty. His comment resonated with several users online, many of whom pointed out that decisions around migration are rarely emotional alone, and are often driven by financial stability, infrastructure, and living conditions.
The contrasting viewpoints have since sparked discussion online, with some echoing Vembu’s call to contribute to India’s growth, while others agreed with Grover’s more pragmatic stance.