Karnataka CM Shivakumar Warns IT Firms Over Sidelining Kannadigas In Jobs; HR Experts Flag Challenges For Companies

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday warned IT companies that if they are found deliberately sidelining Kannadigas regarding job opportunities, the government will take appropriate action. The chief minister asserted that his government had taken the issue seriously.

Emphasising that the government remained committed to addressing concerns relating to the interests of Kannadigas, Shivakumar issued a statement on X. "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," he said.

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ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಐಟಿ ಕಂಪನಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಉದ್ಯೋಗಾವಕಾಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅನ್ಯಾಯವಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂಬ ದೂರುಗಳು ಕೇಳಿಬರುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ವಿಷಾದನೀಯ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತೃಭಾಷೆ ಇರುವವರನ್ನು ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂಬ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗಂಭೀರವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಿದೆ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗನೇ ಸಾರ್ವಭೌಮ. ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹಕ್ಕು, ಗೌರವ ಮತ್ತು ಅವಕಾಶಗಳನ್ನು ಯಾವುದೇ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೂ ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಜಗತ್ತು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರನ್ನು ಭಾರತದ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಯಾಗಿ ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ನಮ್ಮ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಪ್ರತಿಭೆ, ಕೌಶಲ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಅಪಾರ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಿದೆ. ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರನ್ನು ಯಾವುದೇ ಖಾಸಗಿ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಉದ್ದೇಶಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಿರುವುದು ಕಂಡುಬಂದರೆ, ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಸೂಕ್ತ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಿದೆ. ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹಿತಾಸಕ್ತಿಗೆ ಧ್ವನಿಯಾಗಿ, ಅವರ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸ್ಪಂದಿಸಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಸದಾ ಬದ್ಧವಾಗಿದೆ.

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) October 25, 2026

CM Affirms Support To Kannadigas

In Karnataka, the Kannadiga is sovereign, he said, adding that the government will not allow the rights, dignity, and opportunities of Kannadigas to be disregarded for any reason.

"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. As the voice of Kannadiga interests, the government is always committed to responding to their concerns," his post read.

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Regionalism Politics Dominances In Karnataka

Regionalism is not a new thing in Karnataka. Pro-Kannada organisations often create headlines demanding more space for locals in jobs. The government also aligns its policies to their demands due to political compulsion. In fact, the previous Siddaramaiah government brought a bill to provide more job opportunities to locals. The Karnataka government tabled the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, in the state assembly, which is now on hold.

Challenges For The Industries

Karnataka's job reservation bill would pose significant challenges for businesses of all sizes. Human resource experts said skilling is key to equip locals to meet evolving industry demands as employment is based on merit and not domicile.

They believe implementing legislation like the job-for-locals bill would pose significant challenges for businesses in talent acquisition and compliance costs, and stressed the importance of skilling to equip individuals with future-proof skill sets.

(With PTI Inputs)