The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition that challenged a bill recently introduced by the Karnataka government to reserve 50 to 75 per cent of private sector jobs for Kannadigas [Dr. Amirthalakshmi R v. State of Karnataka and ors].

A Bench of Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind refused to entertain the petition after noting that the bill was yet to be enacted into law.

The Court, therefore, termed the petition premature and dismissed it on this ground alone, without expressing any opinion on the merits of such a challenge.

The bill in focus is being mooted to provide reservations for locals under the Kannadiga quota in private sector jobs including “industries, factories, and other establishments” in Karnataka.

The bill, styled Karnataka State Government Employment of Local Candidates in Industries Bill, 2024 mandates 50 per cent reservation for locals in managerial positions and 75 per cent in non-managerial posts.

After controversy arose over this move, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified through a July 17 post on X (formerly Twitter) that the bill is still in its preparation stage and that a comprehensive discussion will be held at the next cabinet meeting before a final decision is made.

The petitioner before the High Court had called for the withdrawal of the bill until constitutional challenges arising from such a move were framed by the Court and resolved.

As an interim prayer, the petitioner had urged the Court to restrain the State from enacting the bill.

The petitioner's counsel today pointed out that the bill is very similar to a law enacted by the Haryana government for a 75 per cent domicile reservation in private-sector jobs, which was struck down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in November 2023.

The counsel added that the Kannadiga Quota bill may go against the intent of providing benefits for local candidates as well.

However, the Court did not hear detailed submissions. After examining the case papers, the Bench proceeded to dismiss the petition as premature.

"It was a legislative enactment that was challenged before the Punjab and Haryana High Court ... (Bill) has not assumed the character of law. The petition is currently premature. On the aforesaid ground alone, without going into the merits of the contentions of petitioner and without expressing any opinion on merits ... petition is dismissed," the Court said.