Heavy Police Deployment Outside Biocon Office in Bengaluru in View of Pro Kannada Protest

Bengaluru: In Bengaluru, tensions are running high as heavy police presence has been deployed outside the Biocon office in Hebbagodi. Pro Kannada organizations have called for a protest demanding reservations for Kannadigas in the private sector. The police, anticipating unrest, have stationed 40 officers and a KSRP platoon to maintain order and security.

The protest stems from the recent controversy after Siddaramaiah announced Kannada quota in Group C and Group D jobs, a decision he later put on hold after industry biggies voiced objection. However, controversy didn't die as Biocon Founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, publicly opposed the state government's proposal for job reservations.

In a social media post, Mazumdar-Shaw argued that while the goal of providing jobs for locals is commendable, it should not come at the expense of Bengaluru's status as a leading tech hub. She emphasized the need for exemptions in the policy for highly skilled recruitment.

Authorities have denied permission for the protest and are prepared to arrest any demonstrators who defy the ban. This move comes after an incident earlier in the week where unidentified individuals vandalized Biocon's nameplates with black paint, underscoring the rising tensions around this issue.

The situation remains fluid, with both protesters and police bracing for potential clashes as the debate over job reservations continues to unfold in Karnataka's capital.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka had put its Kannada quota decision on hold. 

The protests by the pro Kannada organisations is for the OB reservation for Kannadigas in the private sector; the protest has been called for near Biocon Office in Bengaluru because its founder, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw had opposed the government's proposal regarding the reservation. Security has been tightened and the police is also prepared to arrest protestors if required.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced last week that the Karnataka cabinet has passed a bill requiring full reservation for Kannadigas in the private sector for Group C and D positions. The decision was made during Monday's Cabinet meeting. Siddaramaiah took to X and said, “The Cabinet meeting held yesterday (Monday) approved a bill to make recruitment of 100 per cent Kannadigas mandatory for 'C and D' grade posts in all private industries in the state.” he further stated, "We are a pro-Kannada government. Our priority is to look after the welfare of the Kannadigas." The industry was furious with this bill and it faced a lot of criticism following which it was put on hold.