'What actions are you taking?': Indians term Sundar Pichai 'hypocrite' as Google backs racial equality

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, June 2

Google stands in support of racial equality, the tech giant's Indian-American CEO Sunder Pichai has said, expressing solidarity with the African-American community in the US in wake of protests sparked by the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd.

Google and YouTube on Sunday put a black ribbon on their home page in the US, showing solidarity for protests against the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in police custody.

Also read: George Floyd death: Trump threatens to use military to quell violent protests across US

"We stand in support of racial equality, and all those who search for it," the message read on the Google home page.

The same message was also placed on the US home page of Google-owned YouTube and Alphabet.

"For those feeling grief, anger, sadness & fear, you are not alone,” Pichai said, sharing a screenshot of the Google search home page which said “we stand in support of racial equality, and all those who search for it," read the tech-giant's tweet.

Today on US Google & YouTube homepages we share our support for racial equality in solidarity with the Black community and in memory of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery & others who don’t have a voice. For those feeling grief, anger, sadness & fear, you are not alone. pic.twitter.com/JbPCG3wfQW

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) May 31, 2020

However, several Indian netizens on Twitter criticized Pichai for his tweet, stating that no such measures had been taken during protests in India that took place after the death of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula.

Others questioned why Pichai wasn't helping with India's migrant crisis.

However, several Indian netizens criticised Pichai on the microblogging website for his tweet. They questioned why no measure was taken after protests in India took place after the death of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula.

Pichai's tweet has over 31.4k likes.

Reactions:

What an stunningly hypocritical tweet. Your company has consistently platformed, monetized and profited from racists & racist groups. You refuse to remove racist websites from your ad network. You still allow Nazis to air videos on YouTube. You helped create this environment.

— Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) May 31, 2020

Rohith Vemula was from undivided Andhra, your home state. Show Solidarity with her mother. Do you have any diversity policy while recruiting in India? When will you show solidarity with SC, ST, OBC and minorities?

— Dilip Mandal (@Profdilipmandal) June 1, 2020

what actions are you taking?

— EricaJoy (@EricaJoy) May 31, 2020

Why just US Google? Drive the message home to all racists everywhere.

— ranjona banerji: prophet of doom (@ranjona) May 31, 2020

Just look at your home country too Mr Pichai. What goes in US, doesn’t go in India?

— TheAgeOfBananas (@iScrew) May 31, 2020

Dear Mr. Pichai,
When you ll share ur support for Religions equality in India?
So many people lynched in the name of Cow,
Killed during anti-CAA protest,
During Delhi pogrom.
Died during migrant crisis now a days due to Covind 19.

No words ?

Why????@rjfahad @LadyVelvet_HFQ

— Mohammad Manauar (@MANAUARALIG) June 1, 2020

Please support for cast equality, religion equality, race equality in India as well

— Raghu Raja (@RaghuRaja15) May 31, 2020

Hoping the support stands for us Indians against the Religious Bigotry too

— kukki44 ( ‎انجنا ملھوترا ) (@kukk44) May 31, 2020

Only your name is Indian now. Heart doesn't beat for India? #MinorityLivesMatter

— Anu M (@stylistanu) June 1, 2020

Floyd, a 46-year-old African American restaurant worker, died in Minneapolis on Monday after a white police officer pinned him to the ground. Video footage showed the officer kneeling on Floyd's neck as he gasped for breath, sparking widespread protests across the US.

The police officer has been fired, and on Friday was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. — With PTI 

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.