New Delhi: A war of words broke out between Ola founder Bhavish Agarwal and stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Sunday on social media platform X over the after-sales and service quality of the company's electric scooters.
It started when Kamra responded to a post on X by Agarwal, who posted a photo of Ola's gigafactory, by putting a picture of several Ola Electric scooters parked together seemingly waiting for servicing.
"Do Indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this? Two wheelers are many daily wage workers lifeline ...," Kamra wrote along with the photo.
Do indian consumers have a voice?
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 6, 2024
Do they deserve this?
Two wheelers are many daily wage workers lifeline…@nitin_gadkari is this how Indians will get to using EV’s? @jagograhakjago any word?
Anyone who has an issue with OLA electric leave your story below tagging all… https://t.co/G2zdIs15wh pic.twitter.com/EhJmAzhCmt
He tagged Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari, asking: "Is this how Indians will get to using EV's?" The comedian also tagged the official handle of Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India @jagograhakjago, seeking an answer saying "any word?" Kamra further wrote, "Anyone who has an issue with OLA electric leave your story below tagging all...".
To this Agarwal responded, "Since you care so much @kunalkamra88, come and help us out! I'll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career. Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers."
Since you care so much @kunalkamra88, come and help us out! I’ll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career.
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) October 6, 2024
Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers. We’re expanding service network fast and backlogs… https://t.co/ZQ4nmqjx5q
He further said, "We're expanding service network fast and backlogs will be cleared soon."
To the "failed comedy career" remark by Agarwal, Kamra responded by posting a video clip of one of his shows with audience clapping and cheering and called the Ola Electric founder and CMD "arrogant and substandard".
In response, Agarwal said,"Chot lagi? Dard hua? Aaja service center. Bahut kaam Hai. (Did it hurt. It's very less. Come to service center). I will pay better than your flop shows pay you."
Chot lagi? Dard hua? Aaja service center. Bahut kaam hai. I will pay better than your flop shows pay you.
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) October 6, 2024
Show your audience how much you truly care and whether you’re only gas and BS. https://t.co/yEvxhoGTvR
Kamra then challenged Agarwal to "give a total refund to anyone who wants to return their OLA EV & who's purchased it in the last four months", saying he doesn't need his money but "people not being able to get to their workplace need your accountability".
"Show your customers that you truly care," Kamra asserted.
Instead can you give a total refund to anyone who wants to return their OLA EV & who’s purchased it in the last 4 months?
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 6, 2024
I don’t need your money people not being able to get to their workplace need your accountability.
Show your customers that you truly care? https://t.co/tI2dwZT2n2
Agarwal hit back saying, "We have enough programs for our customers if they face service delays. If you were a genuine one, you would have known. Again, don't try and back out of this. Come and do some real work rather than armchair criticism."
We have enough programs for our customers if they face service delays. If you were a genuine one, you would have known.
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) October 6, 2024
Again, don’t try and back out of this. Come and do some real work rather than armchair criticism. https://t.co/HFFKgsl7d9
Many Ola Electric consumers jumped into the spat and complained about the service quality of the company, asking Agarwal to address their issues.