India

Kannadiga Activists Target Bengaluru IT Firms Over Job Quota Demand

By Anagha Deshpande

Kannadiga activists, led by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), began visiting technology companies in Bengaluru on Monday to examine employment opportunities for Karnataka residents. The group requested information on each firm’s total workforce, the proportion of employees from Karnataka, recruitment figures for the past three years, and the distribution of Kannadigas across Group A, B, C and D positions. They also sought details on facilities for local employees, recruitment standards, skill‑development initiatives, training and internship opportunities.

The campaign follows complaints that qualified Karnataka candidates were being overlooked in favor of applicants from outside the state. Despite Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s appeal for dialogue and a legal framework, activists visited Google’s office at Ananta, Rio Business Park, in Mahadevapura on November 4 and submitted their recommendations. Shivakumar has urged organisations to resolve such matters through dialogue and assured businesses of protection against intimidation or harassment in the name of Kannada activism.

The demand for greater job reservations for Kannadigas dates back to 1983, when former parliamentarian Sarojini Mahishi headed a committee to examine employment opportunities for Kannadigas in government establishments, PSUs, private companies and multinationals. The committee’s final report, released in December 1986, made 58 recommendations, including 100% reservation for Kannadigas in all state government establishments and PSUs, and 100% reservation in Group C and D jobs in central government departments and PSUs operating in Karnataka. The Karnataka government accepted 45 of these recommendations, but the report has not been fully implemented.

In July 2024, the Siddaramaiah‑led Cabinet approved the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, which would reserve 50% of management positions and 70% to 75% of non‑management positions for local candidates, and 100% reservation in Group C and D posts in private establishments. The draft was put on hold after strong opposition from industry representatives, particularly from the IT sector, and was never introduced for passage in the legislature.

KRV has urged the government to fulfil its promise of reserving 80% of job opportunities across all levels in the public and private sectors for locals, as promised in the Congress 2023 election manifesto. The group’s statement on X on November 6 called on Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar to take the proposal to the Cabinet immediately, noting that four years have passed without progress.

The campaign highlights the renewed pressure on the Karnataka government to act on the long‑pending demand for local job reservations in the private sector.