India, Nov. 7 -- Kannad activists have taken their demand for private-sector job reservations to Bengaluru's IT companies, reigniting a nearly four-decade-old debate over local employment that successive Karnataka governments have struggled to resolve.

As activists survey firms to scrutinise hiring practices and the representation of Kannadigas, the state government faces renewed pressure to act on the long-pending demand, even as its proposed 2024 jobs quota Bill remains on hold.

The latest campaign has been led by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), whose members began visiting technology companies in Bengaluru on Monday to survey employment opportunities available to Karnataka residents. The organisation has sought details of compan...