DK Shivakumar Warns IT Firms Over Sidelining Kannadigas in Bengaluru
· India · Hindustan Times, Times of India, The Hindu
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday the state government would take action against private companies found to be deliberately denying job opportunities to Kannadigas in Bengaluru's IT sector. In a post on X, Shivakumar called the complaints disheartening and asserted that "the Kannadiga is sovereign" in Karnataka. He emphasised the government's commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and employment opportunities of native Kannada speakers. The statement revives a debate that peaked in July 2024 when the state cabinet approved a bill mandating 70 per cent reservation for locals in non-management roles and 50 per cent in management positions at private firms. That bill was put on hold by then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after strong opposition from industry leaders who warned of negative impact on the technology sector. Shivakumar's latest remarks signal a renewed political push on the issue.
Why it matters
Kannadiga job-seekers and Bengaluru's IT industry, which employs hundreds of thousands, face renewed uncertainty over potential hiring restrictions that could reshape recruitment practices and investor sentiment.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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