Karnataka CM warns Bengali IT companies against alleged bias against Kannadigas: What prompted his statement? | Today’s news
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday warned private companies to take action if they were found to be deliberately denying jobs to Kannadigas. His remarks came after a video about language discrimination in Bengaluru’s information technology (IT) sector went viral on social media.
“If any private institution is found to have deliberately sidelined Kannadigas, the government will take appropriate action,” Shivakumar said in a post on X.
“Kannadiga is sovereign in Karnataka. The government will not allow the rights, dignity and opportunities of Kannadigas to be ignored for any reason,” he added.
What caused the controversy?
The controversy started after a woman shared a video alleging that some IT companies in Bengaluru were rejecting candidates who listed Kannada as their mother tongue in their resumes.
She alleged that Kannada-speaking candidates were screened out during shortlisting or interviews, while companies preferred Telugu and Tamil speakers from neighboring states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
Some employers, she said, recruited candidates from those states for lower salaries, leaving local graduates with fewer opportunities.
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“Because of this, we are not getting job opportunities,” the woman said, urging the chief minister to intervene.
She also alleged that campus interviews were not conducted in colleges in Bengaluru and sought a solution from the state government.
The claims have not been independently verified. The government has not identified any company against which it is considering action, according to an NDTV report.
What did Shivakumar say?
Highlighting Bengaluru’s position as a global technology hub, Shivakumar said the state is proud of the talent and capabilities of Kannadigas.
“The world sees Bengaluru as the technology capital of India and we are extremely proud of the talent, skills and abilities of our Kannadigas,” he said.
He added that the government will act as a voice for local interests and address concerns about job opportunities.
Pro-Kannada activists are demanding action
The video drew reactions from pro-Kannada groups and social media users with calls for the government to investigate the allegations and protect job opportunities for local youth.
Kannada activist Rupesh Rajanna, who shared the video on X, claimed that such practices had continued for a long time and accused the government of not responding adequately despite the issue being raised earlier.
A separate social media post also named a Bengaluru-based company in connection with similar allegations. Even these claims remain unverified.
Karnataka seeks jobs for locals
The controversy has revived a long-standing debate about local employment in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru’s tech sector, which attracts professionals from across India and overseas.
In July 2024, the Karnataka cabinet, then headed by former CM Siddaramaiah, approved a bill proposing reservations for Kannadigas in private sector jobs. The proposal was put on hold after objections from industry bodies.
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Shivakumar also outlined plans to fill 56,000 vacant government posts and give preference to Kannadigas in private sector jobs.
BJP questions the government’s record on job creation
Reacting to Shivakumar’s remarks, BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda urged the government to go beyond assurances and explain what steps it has taken to create jobs for the local youth.
He said the demand is not limited to government jobs but has also extended to opportunities in the private sector.
“Obviously there can be rules that can be formulated, but what role does the government play to increase the number of jobs?” Gowda asked, challenging Shivakumar to elaborate on measures taken to encourage companies to hire Kannadigas.