Bengaluru, India – Karthik SG, chief executive of a Bengaluru‑based technology services company, announced on Tuesday that the firm will no longer hire men from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The policy, described by the CEO as a “regionalist” safety measure rather than a racist edict, was presented as a response to repeated incidents of employee misconduct involving men from those states.
Policy rationale and company statement
In an interview with NDTV, SG said the decision was driven by “specific patterns of misconduct” that the firm had documented over several years. He argued that the ban is intended to protect existing staff and maintain a “secure work environment” for women and other vulnerable employees. The CEO stressed that the firm does not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion or language, and that the restriction applies only to male candidates from the four states mentioned.
"We will not hire men from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan until we are certain that the safety and dignity of our workforce is guaranteed," SG told the outlet.
The company’s internal memo, obtained by News18, outlines that the policy will be enforced across all hiring channels, including campus recruitment and third‑party staffing agencies. No specific statistics on the alleged misconduct were released, and the firm declined to comment on whether similar concerns exist for female candidates from the same regions.
Political and public reaction
The announcement triggered swift criticism from opposition parties and civil‑rights groups, who labeled the move as discriminatory and potentially illegal under India’s Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of “place of origin.” BJP leader Danish Iqbal, a member of Karnataka’s legislative assembly, called the policy “unacceptable” and warned it could fuel communal tensions. Asianet Newsable reported that Iqbal urged the state government to investigate whether the firm’s actions violate labour law.
Social media users and commentators debated whether the ban reflects a genuine safety concern or a form of regional bias. WION cited the CEO’s claim that “employees from these states have been involved in harassment cases” but noted that the firm has not provided independent verification. Some analysts warned that the policy could set a precedent for other companies to adopt similar location‑based hiring restrictions, potentially eroding the principle of merit‑based employment.
Legal experts consulted by News18 said the ban could be challenged in court on grounds of “unfair labour practice” and violation of the Equal Remuneration Act. They pointed out that Indian jurisprudence generally requires employers to justify any discriminatory practice with a “genuine and non‑perverse” occupational necessity, which has not yet been demonstrated.
Impact on the tech sector and broader implications
The firm, which employs roughly 2,500 staff across India and overseas, is one of several Bengaluru‑based companies that have faced scrutiny over workplace harassment in recent months. Industry observers note that the sector is already grappling with talent shortages, and a hiring ban that excludes a large pool of candidates—Uttar Pradesh and Bihar together account for over 30 % of India’s male working‑age population—could exacerbate recruitment challenges.
While the CEO framed the policy as a proactive step to safeguard employees, the lack of transparent data and the exclusion of an entire demographic have raised concerns about the balance between workplace safety and constitutional rights. The controversy is expected to prompt further debate in India’s courts and among policymakers about the limits of employer discretion in hiring decisions.
