Sameer Nigam, founder and CEO of PhonePe, has openly criticized the Karnataka government’s proposal to mandate 100% reservation for locals in the private sector. Nigam labeled the move a “shame,” expressing concerns over the potential negative impact on employment opportunities for individuals who have lived and worked across different states.

Nigam took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his personal connection to the issue. “I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ years. My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don’t deserve jobs in Karnataka? I build companies. Have created 25000+ jobs across India! My kids don’t deserve jobs in their home city? Shame,” he wrote.

The Karnataka government has temporarily put the bill on hold following significant backlash from various sectors. The state’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, announced that the cabinet will revisit the bill and discuss it in detail in the next meeting. “The bill approved by the cabinet to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector organizations, industries, and enterprises has been temporarily put on hold. This will be revisited and decided in the coming days,” Siddaramaiah stated in an X post.

Earlier this week, the Karnataka cabinet approved a bill mandating 100% reservation for Kannadigas, or local residents, for C and D-grade posts in private industries. The move faced immediate opposition, particularly from the IT sector. Nasscom, the premier trade body for IT companies in India, voiced concerns that the bill could stifle industry growth, impact job creation, and potentially force companies to consider relocation.