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Startup founders divided after Bengaluru entrepreneur's viral hiring post targeting four states
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Moneycontrol•25-09-2026, 10:27
Founders Slam Bengaluru Entrepreneur's Hiring Ban on Four States
  • •A Bengaluru entrepreneur, Karthik SG, sparked controversy by announcing his company would no longer hire male candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
  • •Karthik defended his decision, citing a negative experience with a former employee who allegedly became abusive towards female colleagues.
  • •The entrepreneur's explanation failed to quell the backlash, with many arguing that one individual's misconduct does not justify excluding candidates from entire states.
  • •Prominent founder Shradha Sharma strongly pushed back, emphasizing that people should be judged by their character, not their origin, and highlighting the hardworking nature of individuals from these states.
  • •Critics argued that such a policy is discriminatory and reflects flaws in the company's hiring and screening processes rather than any inherent issue with people from specific regions.

Key Questions Answered

The hiring ban announced by entrepreneur Karthik SG applies to male candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.

The entrepreneur stated that the policy was introduced after a former male employee from one of those four states exhibited abusive behavior toward female colleagues and attempted to force himself on one of them.

The announcement drew widespread criticism from professionals and founders, including Shradha Sharma who condemned the sweeping generalization and urged people to judge individuals by character rather than punishing an entire region.