'Talent Isn’t Enough': Startup Founder Cancels ₹22 Lakh Offer Over Candidate’s Religious Remarks

LinkedIn Viral Job Post: An Indian startup entrepreneur recently withdrew a high-paying ₹22 lakh per year employment offer after learning that a potential candidate had made derogatory posts aimed at religious groups on LinkedIn. The move triggered an online discourse, which placed ethics and morals against talent and possibility.

Mohammed Ahmed Bhati, the founder of job site Jobbie, shared on LinkedIn that the applicant impressed him in the interview—showing top-notch abilities, initiative, and even went so far as to create a platform-specific resume and propose UI updates. Bhati was said to be prepared to make an offer above the company's budget. A routine background check, however, found the candidate's incendiary comments, and Bhati rescinded the offer.

The founder shared the screenshots of both the offer and rejection letter on LinkedIn, where he wrote, "Cancelled the offer letter based on derogatory comments made on some LinkedIn posts. After our viral post on reddit regarding 12000 hires and 450 Interviews none selected, this candidate reached out to us and applied, to further impress us even created his resume with Jobbie and highlighted steps to improve the platform."

"Impressed with the interview, we were ready to roll out an offer above our budget. But during the final background check, we found recent public comments that were derogatory towards religious communities. No matter how skilled someone is, respect and basic decency matter to us more. Talent gets you in the door. Values decides if you stay," the post caption reads further.

Netizen's reactions

Netizens on social media had different things to say about Bhati's choice. Supporters praised his position, saying that respect and awareness of other cultures are important principles in the workplace.

One user wrote, "I heard this reason of cancelling the offer letter for the first time." Another commented, "You're trying to assert your power, acting like, ‘I built this platform, so I decide who gets hired based on whether they align with my beliefs or not.’ But I’m sure if someone from another religion did the same against yours, you wouldn’t stay silent, you’d be the first to call it out."