Bengaluru: A young woman's video went viral on Sunday. By Monday it had become the Karnataka government's problem, and the Chief Minister's warning.
In the video, the woman alleged that IT companies in Bengaluru reject candidates who list Kannada as their mother tongue, that campus interviews are held outside the state instead of in local colleges, and that young people from neighbouring states are hired at lower salaries. The claims have not been independently verified. The government has not named any company.
"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," Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said in a post on X.
He went further. "In Karnataka, the Kannadiga is sovereign. The government will not allow the rights, dignity and opportunities of Kannadigas to be disregarded for any reason." Pointing to Bengaluru's standing, he added: "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."
Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj S Tangadagi drew the line he wanted enforced: "Rejecting employment due to lack of qualifications is one thing, refusing employment solely because the mother tongue is Kannada is another."
Dr Purushottam Bilimale, president of the Kannada Development Authority, said he had already written to the government about the matter, and added a caveat that cuts against the grievance politics: "Karnataka needs to ensure Kannadigas become employable by sufficiently training them."
KPCC president B K Hariprasad put the demand in its narrowest form — where other things are equal, locals should get first preference. BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda turned it back on the government, asking what jobs the Congress administration has actually created.
This argument has a history. In 2024 the cabinet cleared a draft bill reserving a large share of private-sector jobs for local candidates. It was shelved after industry bodies pushed back, with Nasscom warning it would stifle startups.
The difference this time is the venue. The debate is no longer only in the assembly. It is in the interview room.