New Delhi

A video doing rounds on social media shows a security guard locking down the office door of a Gurugram-based startup near Indian capital New Delhi, allegedly with employees still inside. 

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The office space belongs to Coding Ninjas, an ed-tech startup described as a learning platform for those wanting to learn coding.

"It's due to an order," the security guard responds when asked by the person making the video as to why he was locking the office down. 

The security guard then cited a senior executive as person behind the purported order and nodded in agreement when asked if this is to ensure that employees do not get outside. 

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WION reached out to Coding Ninjas to verify the content seen in the viral video.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We want to clarify the incident that occurred two weeks ago was due to a regrettable action by an employee in one of our offices. The same was immediately rectified within minutes. The employee acknowledged his mistake and apologised for the inconvenience caused due to his actions. In light of the incident, the founders also personally expressed their regret and apologised to all the employees."

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"This was an isolated incident and we are taking proactive measures to ensure that it will not be repeated. Disciplinary action is being taken against the concerned employee. This was an aberration at Coding Ninjas and against our values and culture as an organisation. We want to assure everyone that this action was not intentional. We regret that the inconvenience this incident has caused," the statement added. 

'Is it an office or a prison': Indians on social media react to viral video

Coding Ninjas did not respond to WION's query as to what exact "disciplinary action" is being taken by the company against the concerned employee. The story will be updated if and when they come up with a response on the same.

Also read | ‘Biggest startup scandal’: How one event in India’s Noida scarred India’s entrepreneurial ambitions

At the same time, it is not yet clear what was the reason for alleged locking up of the employees, as mentioned in the viral video.

The video has led to massive uproar on social media.

Individuals employed in the IT sector claimed this incident as an example of the wider state of exploitative work culture in sectors across India.

Also watch | India@75: World's 3rd largest startup ecosystem

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"Really sad to see this, hope virality of this video creates waves and toxic culture of sales led startups changes specially in ed tech space," a user commented on LinkedIn. 

"Is it an office or a prison," another LinkedIn user asked.

India is the third largest tech startup ecosystem globally after the United States and China.

The world's fifth largest economy has nearly 27,000 active tech startups, having added 1,300 just in 2022.

In terms of the unicorns — the privately held startup companies valued at over US$1 billion each — India emerged as the third-largest hub with 68 such companies, according to Global Unicorn Index 2023.

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