Kannada activists launch protest against IT companies in Bengaluru, demand job reservation

Kannada activists have launched a protest against IT sector companies in Bengaluru, demanding job reservations. Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) began visiting various technology companies in the city from Monday. The primary objective of this campaign is to investigate the recruitment status of local Kannada-speaking candidates in these companies. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the activists have requested details from the companies regarding their total headcount, recruitment done over the last three years, and the proportion of Kannada-speaking employees in Group A, B, C, and D categories.

Additionally, the organization has sought information from the companies regarding facilities available for local employees, recruitment standards, skill development programs, and training and internship opportunities. The activists allege that qualified candidates from the state are being ignored in favor of candidates from other states. This dispute has increased pressure on the state government to fulfill the long-pending demand for job reservation, especially with the 2024 job reservation bill currently being on hold.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar appealed to Kannada organizations not to pressure IT-BT companies by visiting them directly. He stated that such issues should be resolved within the framework of the law and through dialogue. At an event held in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, he assured industrialists that no form of intimidation or harassment in the name of the Kannada language would be tolerated. He requested companies to continue their investments and provide suitable opportunities to qualified Kannada candidates. Nevertheless, on November 4, activists visited the Google office located in Mahadevapura and submitted their recommendations.

On October 25, the Chief Minister stated on the social media platform 'X' that if it is found that private institutions are deliberately sidelining Kannada speakers, the government will take appropriate action. He clarified that the government is taking complaints regarding the neglect of local candidates seriously and will not compromise on their rights and dignity.

The history of the demand for job reservation for Kannada speakers dates back to 1983. At that time, the then Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde formed a committee under the chairmanship of Sarojini Mahishi to examine employment opportunities for locals in government institutions, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and private companies. This committee submitted its report in 1984 and 1986, which included 58 recommendations. According to a report by the Indian Express, the state government accepted 45 of these, with the provision of 100 percent reservation in government institutions being the main one. However, these recommendations have not been fully implemented to this day.

The Sarojini Mahishi Committee was formed in 1983. This committee recommended that personnel officers in industries within the state should be Kannada-speaking and that priority should be given to local candidates. The committee also proposed 100 percent reservation in Group C and D jobs even in central government departments, with the aim of providing equal employment opportunities to the youth of the state.