Activists are seen at the entrance of the Foxconn in October
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike plans another round of massive protest against Foxconn
Bengaluru
The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), led by Praveen Shetty, has once again planned a massive protest against Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry) over alleged preference for non-Kannadigas in employment and other contracts.
In October, the KRV staged a demonstration demanding that the management provide jobs to Kannadigas. However, Kannada activists say that nothing has changed at Foxconn, one of the largest iPhone manufacturing units in Doddaballapur.
Speaking to blrpost.com, Shetty said that even after their demand, the management had awarded canteen and transport contracts to Tamil Nadu–based companies. “We had explicitly told the company to engage people from Karnataka for these services. People from Karnataka should benefit from the companies established in Bengaluru. Otherwise, the purpose of investment is lost,” he said.
Shetty alleged that in the Taiwan-based company Foxconn, several people from Tamil Nadu hold managerial and decision-making roles, and that they are blocking opportunities for Kannadigas. “This has to end at any cost. In the service sector, Kannadigas are better than those from neighbouring states,” he claimed.
He further alleged that the transport company that secured the contract from Foxconn is not providing door-to-door pick-up and drop facilities, risking the safety of women. Prabhakaran, who looks after these is a reason for all the problems, Shetty alleged. “If any untoward incident occurs, it will bring disrepute to Karnataka,” he added.
The KRV is now planning a bigger protest against Foxconn as a show of strength. The Kannada organisation says it will not back down until the company relents and provides opportunities to Kannadigas.
On the other hand, Sulibele police recently served a notice to the company in connection with a foeticide case. The notice, addressed to Arun, the Head Dominator at Foxconn, sought details of 2,100 employees. The police are currently investigating the case.
In March 2025, during sewage maintenance work at the BCD apartment complex in Kambalipura, Hoskote — accommodation provided to Foxconn’s women employees — a male foetus was discovered. The police had issued an initial notice in March, but the BCD supervisor requested that officers obtain information directly from Foxconn.