An Indian professional working in Paris, Varun Varshney, has ignited a significant online debate after sharing his critical observations of what he described as toxic office politics among Indian colleagues working abroad. Varshney posted a candid video on Instagram, asserting that internal rivalry and fault-finding are rampant, leading to highly unpleasant work environments.
The Allegation: ‘Enemies of Other Indians’
Varshney claimed that this tendency for Indians to be “enemies of other Indians” is not restricted to the country but is consistently observed in multinational workplaces overseas as well.
Speaking from his experience in the French capital, he detailed the behavior he witnessed in his office where several Indian employees frequently:
- Pointed out one another’s mistakes.
- Highlighted minor issues like a colleague arriving late to work, specifically in front of managers.
- Engaged in petty rivalry and constant fault-finding, pitting individuals against one another.
- Repeated conversations behind colleagues’ backs, escalating complaints to management.
Varshney concluded that he felt relieved to be the only Indian on his current project, as it successfully isolated him from what he terms this toxic dynamic. In the caption accompanying his viral video, he summarized his frustration: “Office politics done by Indians not only inside India but even outside as well.”
The Internet Reaction: A Relatable Experience
The video quickly resonated with a wide audience, prompting a flood of reactions and personal accounts from users who claimed they had experienced similar situations:
- Relatable Testimony: One user from the US shared a detailed account: “A similar situation exists in the US. My first job after graduation was with a firm where most managers were Indian. After I left, I promised myself I would rather struggle than work in such an environment again.”
- Historical Context: Several comments drew parallels to historical disunity, with one user writing: “That is why the British ruled over us for nearly 300 years. They knew we were divided.” Another noted, “Had our countrymen remained united, no one could have ruled over us.”
- Need for Change: The consensus highlighted the emotional toll of the behavior: “Office politics exists everywhere, but it hurts more when it comes from your own people,” and that this “mindset needs to change if Indians want respect in global workplaces.”