DK Shivakumar warns Bengaluru IT firms over alleged hiring bias against Kannadigas

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has issued a clear warning to private technology companies operating in Bengaluru, stating that the state government will take action against firms found to be deliberately sidelining local Kannadiga candidates during recruitment.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Shivakumar said the administration had taken serious note of formal complaints alleging that native Kannada speakers were being denied fair job opportunities across the technology sector. Asserting that "the Kannadiga is sovereign" within the state, he emphasised that the government will not allow the rights, dignity, and employment prospects of local talent to be compromised.

"It is disheartening to hear complaints that Kannadigas are being denied job opportunities in Bengaluru's IT companies," Shivakumar said. He added that while the government takes immense pride in Bengaluru’s status as India's premier technology capital and the skills of its workforce, appropriate action will follow if any private organisation is verified to have systematically excluded local candidates.

The Deputy Chief Minister's comments come after videos circulated on social media platforms featuring applicants who shared experiences of recruitment bias in Bengaluru-based offices. In one recent video, a candidate alleged that certain companies rejected resumes simply for mentioning Kannada proficiency, preferring instead to hire out-of-state candidates at lower remuneration during regional campus placement drives.

The debate surrounding local preference in Karnataka's private sector has been developing over recent months as the state balances corporate expansion with local employment goals. In July 2024, the state cabinet evaluated draft legislation designed to formalise hiring quotas for Karnataka residents within private firms across non-management and management cadres.

State job quotas and recruitment initiatives

Although the draft legislation was placed on hold to enable wider consultations with industry leaders, state officials have consistently reiterated their focus on creating sustainable job growth. Alongside discussions with private enterprise leaders, the government has moved forward on expanding public sector employment, including plans announced earlier this year to fill 56,000 vacant state posts. State leadership maintains that expanding employment and prioritising native talent remain core components of Karnataka's economic stability and industrial governance.