Former Shark Tank India Judge and founder of Bharat Pe, Ashneer Grover received massive criticism on social media after he made a controversial remark saying that Indore 'bought' the cleanliness survey presented by the Centre. Ashneer Grover was speaking at an event in Indore when he expressed that he sensed some foul play in Indore receiving the top spot in the cleanliness survey as Bhopal is much better than it. For the unversed, Indore was named the cleanest city in the country for the sixth time in a row. Indore secured top position in the Centre's Swachh Survekshan Survey 2022. The results of the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022, the Union government's annual cleanliness survey were announced on Saturday. Indore was adjudged the cleanest city, followed by Surat and Navi Mumbai.
However, after Ashneer Grover's Indore cleanliness survey remarks went viral on social media, the Entrepreneur and Public came under the scanner of social;l media. Not only this, but Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narrotam Mishra called Ashneer's mind 'filled with garbage'. The controversy did not stop here, a non-cognisable offence information report was registered against Ashneer on Monday. Finally, Ashneer Grover broke his silence and slammed the politics revolving around his remark which was made in a playful manner. Although Ashneer apologised to the people of Indore, he challenged political leaders of Madhya Pradesh to file FIR as he backs his remarks in a veiled dig to Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narrotam Mishra.
Ashneer took to his official X handle and wrote, "Sorry. Not Sorry ! Sorry to Indore. You’ve got great people and city. But politicians everywhere have got no chill ! Unnecessary politics being made out of a statement made in jest in a playful conversation on Bhopal vs Indore. Where the audience had fun - no offence was meant. None taken by anyone. No one getting offended now was even present in the room.
Not Sorry to any politician. Ever. No one. Any party. FIR kar lo. Case kar lo. Koi farak nahi padta - I am not a push over - won’t be bullied. Don’t make issue where there is none. It might be election year - but people are smart. Indori people - super smart. I’ll come to Indore when I wish, as many times I wish - and am confident of Indori mehmaan nawazi.
And yes on Bhopal vs Indore - my favourite remains Bhopal. It would be dishonest of me to put Bhopal lower when I feel it’s not only MP’s, but India’s best city. "
Sorry. Not Sorry !
— Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) September 11, 2023
Sorry to Indore. You’ve got great people and city. But politicians everywhere have got no chill ! Unnecessary politics being made out of a statement made in jest in a playful conversation on Bhopal vs Indore. Where the audience had fun - no offence was meant.… pic.twitter.com/OGxZMu4yV1
What did Ashneer Grover say on the Indore winning in cleanliness survey report?
Ashneer in the video can be heard saying, "See, there is a concept - playing to the gallery, that is, wherever you go, praise it saying I have never seen such a nice city. Now the problem with me is that for three-four years I have heard that Indore is the cleanest city...you have bought the survey. It's a simple thing."
It is pertinent to mention here that the former Shark Tank India judge also clarified that he was not saying there was filth in Indore, and that he meant several construction works are going on in the city.