Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday warned that the state government would take appropriate action if private institutions were found to be deliberately sidelining Kannadigas in job opportunities.
Shivakumar said the government had taken seriously the concerns over Kannadigas being overlooked and asserted that their rights, dignity and opportunities would not be compromised, despite Bengaluru being the IT hub.
“It is disheartening to hear complaints that Kannadigas are being denied job opportunities in Bengaluru’s IT companies. The government has taken seriously the issue of native Kannada speakers being sidelined,” Shivakumar said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“In Karnataka, the Kannadiga is sovereign. The government will not allow the rights, dignity, and opportunities of Kannadigas to be disregarded for any reason,” he wrote.
Noting that Bengaluru was recognised globally as India’s technology capital, he said the state took immense pride in the talent, skills and capabilities of Kannadigas. “The world sees Bengaluru as India’s technology capital, and we take immense pride in the talent, skills, and capabilities of our Kannadigas,” the Karnataka Chief Minister said.
“If it is found that any private institution has deliberately sidelined Kannadigas, the government will take appropriate action,” he said.
He emphasised that the government remained committed to addressing concerns relating to the interests of Kannadigas. “As the voice of Kannadiga interests, the government is always committed to responding to their concerns.”
The remarks reportedly come after a video of a young woman went viral in which she alleged language-based discrimination in hiring by Bengaluru’s IT companies. The authenticity of the video could not be verified by Times Now Digital.
In 2024, the then CM Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka cabinet had cleared a draft bill mandating quotas for locals in private-sector jobs. The bill mandated firms to appoint local candidates in 50 per cent of management positions and 70 per cent in non-management positions. However, it was later put on hold after pushback from industry bodies.
