Recently, the Karnataka state cabinet cleared the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024. This bill makes it compulsory for private firms to reserve jobs for Kannadigas. There’s a 50% quota in management categories and 75% in non-management categories for locals, reported Mint. The bill also mentioned that candidates without secondary school certificates showing Kannada as a language must pass a Kannada proficiency test as defined by the nodal agency.

This has come at a time when there is a rising sentiment amongst Kannadiga locals that their land and jobs are being taken over by ‘outsiders’ – people belonging from other states, especially those who are Hindi-speaking. Kannadigas complain about the imposition of Hindi on locals, their land being taken over by migrants, the greenery being destroyed by the rise in corporate offices and apartment buildings and the massive pub culture.
“We are a pro-Kannada government. Our priority is to look after the welfare of the Kannadigas,” said the CM of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, reported TOI.

This has caused a major outroar by non-Kannada-speaking professionals working in the city. For example, PhonePe CEO and co-founder Sameer Nigam has opposed the bill. He said, “I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ years. My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don’t deserve jobs in Karnataka? I build companies. Have created 25000+ jobs across India! My kids don’t deserve jobs in their home city?”
I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ yrs
My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don’t deserve jobs in Karnataka?
I build companies. Have created 25000+ jobs across India! My kids dont deserve jobs in their home city?
Shame.
— Sameer.Nigam (@_sameernigam) July 17, 2024
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who heads one of India’s top pharmaceutical companies, Biocon, which has its office in Bengaluru, also criticised the bill.
“As a tech hub we need skilled talent and whilst the aim is to provide jobs for locals we must not affect our leading position in technology by this move. There must be caveats that exempt highly skilled recruitment from this policy,” she posted.
As a tech hub we need skilled talent and whilst the aim is to provide jobs for locals we must not affect our leading position in technology by this move. There must be caveats that exempt highly skilled recruitment from this policy. @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @PriyankKharge https://t.co/itYWdHcMWw
— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) July 17, 2024
After facing backlash, the Karnataka government has put the Karnataka jobs quota bill on hold.
What are your views regarding the bill?