‘In Karnataka, the Kannadiga Is Sovereign’: Shivakumar Threatens Action Against Firms Sidelining Locals

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has warned private institutions of action over alleged discrimination against Kannadigas in Bengaluru's IT sector, promising to protect local candidates' employment rights and dignity.

Shivakumar warns firms against sidelining Kannadigas in hiring (Img: X)

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has warned private institutions that the state government will take action against companies found to be deliberately denying job opportunities to Kannadigas. The warning comes amid allegations that local candidates are being discriminated against by IT companies in Bengaluru.

In a post on X on Sunday, Shivakumar said the government had taken complaints about native Kannada speakers being sidelined seriously and would not allow their rights, dignity or employment prospects to be compromised.

"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," Shivakumar wrote.

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

Government Warns of Action Against Private Firms

Emphasising the state's commitment to protecting local interests, Shivakumar said Kannadigas should not be denied opportunities in their home state.

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

He also underlined Bengaluru's standing as a global technology hub, noting the talent and capabilities of the state's workforce. However, he made it clear that companies found to be deliberately discriminating against local candidates could face consequences.

"If it is found that any private institution has deliberately sidelined Kannadigas, the government will take appropriate action," he said.

Reiterating the government's commitment to addressing concerns raised by local residents, Shivakumar added, "As the voice of Kannadiga interests, the government is always committed to responding to their concerns."

Video Sparks Debate Over Hiring Practices

The government's warning follows a video circulating on social media in which a young woman alleges that Kannada speakers face discrimination during recruitment by IT companies.

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In the video, she claims that companies prefer candidates who speak Telugu and Tamil, while allegedly rejecting applicants whose resumes mention Kannada. The allegations have drawn attention to concerns over whether local language and identity are influencing hiring decisions in Bengaluru's technology sector.

The claims in the video have not been independently established. Shivakumar's statement, however, signals that the state government is prepared to examine complaints and act against private institutions if deliberate discrimination against Kannadiga candidates is found.