Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) Issues Press Release Condemning Toxic Work Culture at Ola Following Tragic Suicide
Bangalore, May 21, 2025The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) expresses profound grief and outrage over the tragic suicide of Nikhil Somwanshi, a machine learning engineer at Ola’s artificial intelligence unit, Krutrim, in Bangalore. Reports indicate that Nikhil’s death was a direct result of extreme work pressure and a toxic work environment, where he was forced to handle the workload of three employees while enduring relentless harassment from his manager.KITU holds Ola’s management fully accountable for fostering a culture of unchecked exploitation, where employees are overworked, humiliated, and stripped of dignity. The company’s claim that Nikhil was on “personal leave” is a shameful attempt to evade responsibility and ignores the systemic workplace abuse corroborated by former employees, who describe a “traumatic” environment riddled with labor law violations.This tragedy is not an isolated incident but a stark reflection of a broader crisis in the IT sector, where the standard eight-to-nine-hour workday is a myth.
Employees are routinely coerced into working beyond regular hours and on weekends without compensation, leading to severe mental and physical health crises, including suicides. Public statements by Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal dismissing work-life balance as a “Western concept” further expose a callous disregard for employee well-being.KITU demands immediate action:A thorough government investigation into Ola’s work practices and strict enforcement of labor laws to address excessive work hours and workplace harassment.Removal of the IT sector’s exemption from the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act to ensure legal protections for all IT employees.Recognition of work-life balance as a fundamental right, with measures to enforce a “right to disconnect” from after-hours work demands.
KITU calls on all IT and ITeS employees to unite in the fight against toxic work cultures. We urge workers to come forward, report abuses, and join our collective struggle for dignity and fair working conditions. The union will continue to organize protests and advocacy campaigns to demand systemic change across the IT sector.This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call. KITU stands in solidarity with Nikhil’s family and all workers suffering under exploitative conditions. We will not rest until justice is served and a healthy work-life balance is ensured for all.For media inquiries, contact: Suhas Adiga, General Secretary, KITU, at [insert contact details].If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please reach out to a mental health professional or helpline for support.About KITU: The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) is a dedicated advocate for the rights and well-being of IT and ITeS workers, fighting for fair labor practices, healthy work environments, and systemic change in the industry.
