The Karnataka government has decided to put on hold the proposed bill aimed at reserving jobs in the private sector for Kannadigas. The bill, which sought to mandate 50% reservation in management roles and 70% in non-management positions, has faced significant backlash from various sectors.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the bill is still in the preparation stage and will be finalized only after comprehensive discussions in the next cabinet meeting. He emphasized that the government is committed to creating jobs for Kannadigas, but further consultations are necessary to address concerns raised by industry leaders and other stakeholders.
The bill had sparked intense reactions from the business community and industry veterans, who criticized it as regressive and discriminatory. TV Mohandas Pai, former Chief Finance Officer of Infosys, described the bill as “fascist” and “unbelievable,” arguing that it goes against the principles of meritocracy and the constitution. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Managing Director of Biocon, expressed concerns that the bill could negatively impact Karnataka’s position as a technology hub by limiting the availability of skilled talent.
Industry bodies, including the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), also voiced their objections. R K Misra, Karnataka co-chairman of ASSOCHAM, criticized the bill as a short-sighted move that could deter investment in the state’s IT and global capability centers.
The bill’s provisions included appointing government officers to recruitment committees in private sector companies and requiring companies to report compliance to a nodal agency. In cases where qualified local candidates are not available, the bill proposed a relaxation of the reservation requirements after a due inquiry by the government. However, these measures failed to assuage the concerns of the business community.
Protests erupted across Karnataka as pro-Kannada organizations demanded the implementation of job reservations for locals. Thousands of activists, led by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, marched in Bengaluru and other parts of the state, calling for job quotas in both the private sector and central government offices located in Karnataka. They warned that their protests could turn violent if their demands were not met.
In response to the protests, Home Minister G Parameshwar stated that the government is monitoring the situation and urged protestors to remain peaceful. He assured that the government does not oppose peaceful protests but cautioned against taking the law into their hands.
The controversy surrounding the bill has drawn parallels to similar legislation in other states. Haryana had introduced a bill mandating 75% reservation in private sector jobs for residents, which was later struck down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The fate of Karnataka’s bill remains uncertain as the government navigates the conflicting demands of job creation for locals and maintaining a conducive environment for businesses.
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