'Narayana Murthy hours': Memes flood social media as Karnataka mulls 12-hour work day 

On X, one widely circulated sentiment suggests, ;Narayana Murthy's long-cherished dream has finally come true.' (Image credit: AI generated memes/X)

The Karnataka government’s proposed amendment to labour laws, potentially extending daily working hours to 12, has ignited a fierce debate and an explosion of memes across social media, largely featuring Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. The move, aimed at "easing business operations" in sectors like IT, has been met with strong opposition from employee unions and a wave of humorous, albeit critical, online reactions.

Under the proposed revisions to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, and its 1963 Rules, the daily work limit could rise from nine to ten hours, with overtime extending up to 12 hours a day. The three-month overtime cap could also see a significant increase from 50 to 144 hours. While proponents argue it will boost productivity and align with national labour reforms, critics, including the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), have slammed the proposal as a step towards "modern-day slavery," warning of severe impacts on work-life balance and mental health.

The online meme fest is largely a direct response to Narayana Murthy's controversial suggestion last year that Indian youth should work 70 hours a week to boost the nation's economy.

Narayan Murthy side mein naach raha hai https://t.co/oGk9UtKEg2
Ankita (@lady_gabbar) June 18, 2025

Karnataka Govt proposes 12 hr workdays for IT employees. Meanwhile Narayana Murthy Sir.. pic.twitter.com/XAgAd4EHdh Shilpa (@shilpa_cn) June 18, 2025

Social media users have quickly drawn parallels, quipping that the proposed 12-hour workday should be termed "Narayana Murthy hours." Memes depict Murthy "laughing in the corner" or "dancing on the sidelines," satirising his previous comments in light of the government's current proposal. One widely circulated sentiment suggests, "Narayana Murthy's long-cherished dream has finally come true."

Karnataka Govt proposes 12 hr workdays for IT employeesNarayana Murthy watching this news : pic.twitter.com/o0Ywn3kG4F
SwatKat (@swatic12) June 19, 2025

Karnataka govt is proposing to extend working hours to 12 hours for IT sector. They should call it Narayan Murthy hours Ray Stings (@Purba_Ray) June 18, 2025

Trade unions, including KITU, have expressed strong condemnation, stating that the amendment prioritises corporate profits over employee welfare. They argue that legalising 12-hour shifts could facilitate a two-shift system, potentially leading to significant job losses. The debate continues to unfold, highlighting broader concerns about labour rights and the future of work culture in Karnataka's booming IT sector.