Bengaluru tech founder plans to shut down company, relocate to Pune amid language war

Bengaluru, long regarded as India's Silicon Valley, is facing increasing scrutiny as language-related tensions impact business operations. In a significant development, Kaushik Mukherjee, founder of a mid-sized tech firm, has announced plans to shut down his company’s Bengaluru office within six months and relocate operations to Pune.

Mukherjee made the announcement via his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “Today, I took a decision to wind up our Bangalore office in the next 6 months and move it to Pune. If this language nonsense is to continue, I don't want my non-Kannada-speaking staff to be the next victim. This idea was mooted by the staff themselves. I agreed to their POV.”

The statement alludes to growing discomfort among non-Kannada-speaking employees, reportedly due to rising linguistic hostilities. While Mukherjee did not provide specific incidents, his concern reflects a broader debate on language inclusivity in Karnataka’s capital.

Bengaluru has historically been a cosmopolitan tech hub, attracting talent from across India. However, tensions around the use of Kannada in public signage, workspaces, and social discourse have sparked concerns among sections of the professional community.

Industry observers note that while promotion of the local language is culturally significant, any form of exclusion or pressure undermines the city’s global workforce appeal. Pune, another growing tech hub, offers a more neutral linguistic environment, which may have influenced Mukherjee's decision.

This move has reignited discussions about balancing regional identity with inclusive workplace practices in India’s diverse urban centers. Whether this marks the beginning of a larger trend remains to be seen, but for now, Mukherjee’s decision has thrown the spotlight on the fine line between cultural pride and professional inclusivity.