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In a post on X, Shivakumar said it was "disheartening" to hear complaints that Kannadigas were being denied job opportunities in Bengaluru's technology companies. He said the government was taking seriously allegations that native Kannada speakers were being sidelined during hiring.
His remarks came after a video of a young woman alleging bias against Kannadigas by hiring managers in technology firms went viral on social media. The clip triggered a wider discussion online, with some complaining that recruiters from other states often preferred candidates from their own regions over local applicants.
"Karnadigas are supreme in their own state," Shivakumar said, adding that the government would not allow the rights, dignity and opportunities of Kannadigas to be ignored.
"The world sees Bengaluru as India's technology capital, and we take immense pride in the talent, skills and capabilities of our Kannadigas. If it is found that any private institution has deliberately sidelined Kannadigas, the government will take appropriate action," he said.
The issue puts the spotlight back on local job quotas nearly two years after the Siddaramaiah government put on hold a contentious bill mandating reservations for locals in private-sector employment following strong opposition from the technology industry and industry body Nasscom.
The proposed legislation sought to reserve 50% of management positions and 75% of non-management jobs for locals in industries, factories and other establishments across the state.
Nasscom had warned that such a move could hurt Karnataka's investment climate and force some companies to consider relocation. The industry body noted that Karnataka contributes about 25% of India's technology output, is home to more than 11,000 startups and accounts for around 30% of the country's global capability centres (GCCs).
The debate resurfaced in December last year when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah again indicated that the government was exploring measures to increase employment opportunities for Kannadigas in the private sector.