Bengaluru: A nationwide social media campaign calling for a dedicated government department for Non-Resident Kannadigas (NRKs) gathered significant momentum on Friday, with #NRIMinistry emerging as a widely discussed hashtag on X.

The online movement was spearheaded by the Karnataka Anivasi Federation, which urged Kannadigas living abroad and supporters within India to rally behind the demand for a separate ministry focused on the interests and welfare of Karnataka’s global diaspora.

Participants from multiple countries used the platform to highlight issues affecting overseas Kannadigas, including investment support, legal guidance, student assistance, employment-related concerns, welfare measures and emergency response services. Advocates argued that a specialised ministry would provide a structured mechanism to address these matters and strengthen ties between the state and its expatriate community.

A key demand raised during the campaign was the appointment of MLC Dr. Arathi Krishna to lead the proposed ministry. Supporters cited her longstanding engagement with overseas Kannada organisations and her involvement in issues concerning the diaspora.

The demand has gathered pace following recent meetings between state leaders and representatives of the NRI community. A delegation headed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Ronald Colaco, along with Dr. Arathi Krishna, had earlier urged the state government to establish a dedicated Ministry for Non-Resident Kannadigas, supported by an independent Secretariat and Directorate.

Prominent businessman Zakria Jokatte also separately pressed for similar measures during discussions with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Following the meeting, he expressed optimism that the government would take a favourable view of the proposal.

Reacting to the response generated by the campaign, Dr. Colaco said the participation from Kannadigas across the world demonstrated strong support for institutional recognition of the state’s overseas community. He noted that Kannada organisations, business groups, cultural associations, professionals and social activists had joined the online drive, helping the hashtag gain widespread visibility.

Backers of the proposal point out that several Indian states, including Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, already operate dedicated mechanisms to engage with and support their expatriate populations. They contend that Karnataka, which is estimated to have nearly 18 lakh Kannadigas living in over 100 countries, should establish a similar framework.

While the Karnataka government has indicated its intention to set up a Secretariat for Non-Resident Kannadigas, an official announcement regarding the creation of a separate ministry or the appointment of a minister has not yet been made.