Satya Nadella comes from a South Indian background and probably holds his faith in Hinduism. Under that understanding, they follow a caste system which basically makes it that Karma is the reason for the oppression women and other classes of people(according to their caste system) are facing.
Based on what is known at the moment, I do not feel that statement was said with logical thinking. The place was definitely not right. How can you tell women not to take initiative of their careers and salaries? Why not tell both genders if that is the case? Did he become a CEO waiting for Karma?
Later on, it was said that he apologized and says he pays his employees equally. I question the nature of his apology. Was it genuine or was it to save face?
Recent reports came out later on about Satya's pay from the start of his job in February. Satya Nadella's pay equated to about 84 million dollars. That being said, along with the question of his nature and the statement he made to start this whole controversy, I really do not believe it was fair of him to say that. Humans should take initiative of their career whether it is based on gender, race, sexuality, etc... As someone who earns as much, that was not a fair statement. In my opinion, his apology meant nothing, because I am sure the thought must still exist somewhere in his mind. Sure, you can use time and wording to possibly brainwash people into thinking your statement was meant on an entirely different note, but I wonder how many will believe it...