Indian-American entrepreneur and Atomicwork co-founder Vijay Rayapati has criticised Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu over his comments on the ongoing student protests in Delhi, saying students demanding fair examinations should not be portrayed as a threat to the country.
The exchange unfolded on social media after Vembu commented on the protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities.
What Sridhar Vembu Said
On July 22, Sridhar Vembu posted on X that the protesters wanted to disrupt the country’s progress.
“One thing is clear: the Delhi protesters want to plunge India into chaos, and stop the nation’s progress. We must defeat this malicious agenda, which is aided and abetted by powers that want to destroy India.”
He also added that India is a vibrant democracy and elections are the appropriate way for citizens to express their collective will.
Vijay Rayapati Hits Back
Responding to Vembu’s remarks, Vijay Rayapati questioned his characterisation of the protesters and challenged his reference to “powers that want to destroy India.”
Addressing the Zoho founder directly, Rayapati wrote:
“You mean the 18-year-old who studied over 12 hours a day for a paper that leaked before she sat the exam?”
He further argued that the country was not under threat from students seeking fairness.
“India isn’t threatened by students demanding fair exams. It’s threatened by adults like you who call them enemies for it.”
Debate Over Student Protests
The social media exchange comes amid nationwide demonstrations over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Student groups have demanded accountability for examination irregularities, while the protests have also drawn support and criticism from political leaders, entrepreneurs and members of the entertainment industry.
The demonstrations have intensified in recent days, with thousands of students gathering at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and similar protests taking place in several other cities.
Others Also Responded
Rayapati was not the only public figure to disagree with Vembu’s remarks.
Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson Anish Gawande also reacted to the Zoho founder’s post, replying briefly:
“Please sit down.”
The differing reactions reflect the broader public debate over the protests, with supporters describing them as a legitimate demand for transparency and critics questioning the methods adopted by demonstrators.
