Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Bengaluru CEO’s State-Based Male Hiring Policy Sparks Debate
A company in Bengaluru said it would not hire men from four Indian states.
The states are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
The company’s founder, Karthik SG, said the rule came after a former employee was fired.
He alleged that the employee had behaved abusively toward women and tried to force himself on one woman.
He also said the employee had already received two warnings.
Some people supported the company’s right to make its own rules.
Other people said it was unfair to treat all men from those states as if they had done something wrong.
They argued that each job applicant should be judged separately.
The company says it has 32 employees, including 14 women.
Karthik SG, founder of Bengaluru-based A1 Sports World, said it would not hire male candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar or Madhya Pradesh.
Karthik said the policy followed the dismissal of an employee from one of those states who allegedly acted abusively toward female employees and tried to force himself on one woman.
He said the employee had received two warnings and that the company worked with relatively young employees.
Critics argued that applicants should be judged individually on competence and conduct rather than their gender or state of origin.
Karthik said A1 Sports World has 32 employees, including 14 women, and that 20 employees come from other states, including 12 from outside South India.
- Who
- Karthik SG, founder of A1 Sports World, and social-media users debating the policy.
- What
- Karthik announced that the company would not hire male candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar or Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- The announcement was posted on X on September 22; Karthik said the related employee dispute began about two weeks earlier.
- Where
- A1 Sports World is based in Bengaluru, and the debate took place on X.
- Why
- Karthik said the policy followed allegations that a former employee from one of the listed states continued abusive behavior toward female employees after two warnings and tried to force himself on one woman.
Critics of the policy
Company justification and supporters
State-based hiring restrictions
Critics of the policy
Critics said candidates should be assessed on competence and individual conduct rather than their state of origin, and described the policy as generalisation, unfair and potentially bigoted.
Company justification and supporters
Karthik defended the policy as a company decision, writing that it was his company and his rules, and linked it to concerns about workplace safety.
Individual misconduct versus group exclusion
Critics of the policy
Critics argued that the alleged actions of one employee should not be applied to all male candidates from four states. One user also questioned how the approach could work when crimes against women occur across states.
Company justification and supporters
Karthik said the dismissed employee had allegedly remained abusive after two warnings and questioned whether people with what he called that mindset should receive employment opportunities.
Equal opportunity claims
Critics of the policy
Critics said excluding applicants based on gender and state of origin conflicts with evaluating people individually.
Company justification and supporters
Karthik said his company believed in equal opportunity regardless of gender, caste or religion and pointed to employees from different religious and regional backgrounds.
- Company
- A1 Sports World
- Founder
- Karthik SG; one article refers to him as Karthik Shenoy
- Location
- Bengaluru
- Stated policy
- No male hires from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar or Madhya Pradesh
- Workforce
- 32 employees, including 14 women
- Workforce background
- Karthik said 20 employees come from other states, including 12 from outside South India
- Company’s stated rationale
- Alleged misconduct by a dismissed employee, including abusive behavior toward female employees and an alleged attempt to force himself on one woman
Sources
Bengaluru CEO says no male hires from UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP; cites alleged employee misconduct
Bengaluru CEO says no male hires from UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP; cites alleged harassment by former employee