Entrepreneur and former Shark Tank India judge Ashneer Grover has reacted candidly to the Union Budget 2026, calling it a “total waste of time” in a social media post that quickly gained traction online.
In response to X, Grover said Budget reminded him of a scathing on-air rebuke he once gave to a starting pitcher on Shark Tank India.
“This budget reminded me of my rebuke on Shark Tank to one of the pitchers: ‘Bilkul waste of time kiya aapne – aapna bhi aur humara bhi!’ he wrote
Grover’s remark came shortly after Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on Sunday. His post resonated with several users online, many of whom echoed his criticism, describing the budget as staggering.
One user wrote, “Ashneer bhai will get a chance to prepare the budget again… He will comply.”
“At least the shark tank ends in 10 minutes. This cost us a year,” another user wrote.
A third user wrote: “Full Delhi Vibe.” Wasted time.”
What did the budget propose?
Presenting her ninth budget in a row, Sitharaman highlighted the government’s continued push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and outlined measures aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing, infrastructure development and long-term economic growth.
Key announcements included a proposal to reduce the tax collected at source (TCS) rate from 5% to 2% on education and medical education expenditure under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme. The finance minister also announced plans to expand manufacturing in seven priority sectors and reiterated the government’s focus on infrastructure-based growth.
But one of the most debated aspects of Budget 2026 was the decision to leave income tax rates unchanged, a move that drew criticism from sections of the middle class expecting relief from rising living costs.
Political and industrial responses
Reactions to the budget were divided across political and business circles. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the budget offers little for the middle and lower middle classes. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Center of trying to “destroy the economic fabric of the country”.
However, voices from the industry struck a more positive note. Fortis Healthcare MD & CEO Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi said the budget sent a “strong and timely signal” that healthcare remains central to India’s growth strategy.
Saurabh Agarwal, tax partner, EY India, said Budget 2026 marked a shift towards making India a global manufacturing hub and cited initiatives such as ISM 2.0, increased support for semiconductors, bio-farming and heavy construction machinery.
As the debate continues, Grover’s remark added a sharp, headline-grabbing voice to the broader public conversation about the government’s economic plan.
