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

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.

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."