Bengaluru Startup Founder Bars Male Hires from Four North Indian States After Harassment Claim
Founder Karthik SG of A1 Sports World announced on X that his firm will not employ male workers from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar or Madhya Pradesh, citing a recent abuse incident.
A1 Sports World’s founder Karthik SG used X to declare that his Bengaluru company will no longer hire male candidates originating from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar or Madhya Pradesh. He explained that the policy follows the termination of a male employee from one of those states who, despite warnings, allegedly forced himself on a female coworker. The firm, which has 32 employees—14 women and 20 staff from various other states—has already employed one woman from Rajasthan.
The announcement generated a split response on social media, with some denouncing the move as discriminatory and others lauding it as a necessary stand against misogyny. Commentators also linked the policy to broader concerns about women’s safety after a video from Jamui, Bihar, showing a minor girl being harassed went viral and led to arrests, including of a suspect named Nandan Yadav who was injured in a police encounter. The debate highlights tensions between regional bias, workplace protection, and hiring practices in India.
