“Daughter of the soil?”: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw faces backlash over ‘Mannina Magalu’ remark

Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who recently called herself a “daughter of the soil,” has sparked an online storm as netizens resurface her 2020 tweet where she identified herself as “100% Gujarati Indian.”

Biocon chairperson and renowned entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has found herself at the centre of a heated online debate after declaring, “I am the daughter of this soil.” The statement, made amid ongoing discussions about Bengaluru’s civic woes, has triggered sharp reactions across social media platforms.

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Netizens quickly unearthed an old tweet from 2020 in which Mazumdar-Shaw had described herself as “100% Gujarati Indian.” The resurfaced post has reignited questions about her regional identity and previous political stances. Many online users questioned how she could now claim to be a “daughter of the soil” while previously identifying as Gujarati.

How can someone called themself as ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಮಗಳು (daughter of this soil) and oppose the fair rights of the children of the same soil?

— ಅರುಣ್ ಜಾವಗಲ್ | Arun Javgal (@ajavgal) October 19, 2025

The controversy gained momentum after Mazumdar-Shaw had earlier criticized the poor condition of Bengaluru’s roads and even volunteered to fund the development of certain stretches herself, a statement that had already stirred public conversation.

However, the latest backlash goes beyond civic concerns. Social media users have accused her of inconsistency, recalling that she had earlier opposed the Karnataka private sector job reservation proposal that aimed to secure employment opportunities for local Kannadigas. “Someone who opposed Kannada job quota can’t call herself a daughter of the soil,” one post read.

I am "100%" Gujarati

ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಟ್ವಿಟ್ !!!@kiranshawpic.twitter.com/Mu4JtJdwrt

— ಅರುಣ್ ಜಾವಗಲ್ | Arun Javgal (@ajavgal) October 18, 2025

While some defended the businesswoman as a proud Bengalurean who has contributed significantly to Karnataka’s growth, others insisted that birthplace alone doesn’t make one “Mannina Magalu.”