BENGALURU — The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) launched a month-long state-wide campaign on Monday to seek hiring data from IT and biotechnology companies, defying Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's appeal for dialogue on the issue.
The organisation, led by State president T.A. Narayanagowda, is visiting companies and handing over letters demanding information on total employee numbers, the proportion of Kannadigas among them, and recruitment data from the past three years. The letters also seek companies' responses to complaints of discrimination and denial of opportunities raised by Kannada-speaking employees and job aspirants.
Dinesh Kumar, a KRV member, said the organisation visited nearly 50 companies on the first day. "We are not creating any problems. We are just handing over the letters and seeking information," he said.
The campaign occurs despite Shivakumar's appeal to Kannada organisations not to visit IT-BT companies directly. "Such issues must be resolved through dialogue and within the framework of the law," the Chief Minister said, adding that the state government was already looking into the matter.
Separately, Shivakumar announced plans to make it compulsory for private companies to hoist the Karnataka flag on their premises, with an official order expected this month.
The KRV has said the information and grievances collected during the campaign would be reviewed and brought to the attention of the concerned companies and the state government for further action.
The drive underscores growing debate over employment opportunities for Kannadigas in Karnataka's private sector, particularly in the technology industry that forms a significant part of the state's economy.
