Bengaluru: A proposal by the Karnataka government to extend daily work hours to 12 has become the centre of online satire, with social media users drawing parallels to Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s earlier call for Indian youth to commit to a 70-hour workweek.

The proposed amendments to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, and associated rules, aim to increase the daily working hour limit from 9 to 10, and permit up to 12 hours a day with overtime. Additionally, the permissible overtime cap over a three-month period may be raised from 50 hours to 144 hours.

While the move is being promoted as a way to ease business operations in sectors such as IT and services, civil society groups and labour unions have expressed alarm, citing concerns about employee rights and mental health.

On social media, however, the focus shifted to Murthy, who had stirred national debate last year by advocating for a 70-hour workweek. “Narayana Murthy’s long-cherished dream has finally come true,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another quipped, “Karnataka should just call them Narayana Murthy Hours.” A particularly viral meme read: “Narayana Murthy side mein naach raha he (Murthy must be dancing on the sidelines).”

The draft policy, if enacted, could make Karnataka one of the first Indian states to legalise such extended working hours. Observers note the irony of increased work pressure at a time when discussions around work-life balance and mental health are gaining traction globally.

Though Narayana Murthy is not involved in the current proposal, his earlier comments continue to shape the conversation. As critics highlight the policy’s potential impact on labour rights, the online meme storm serves as a barometer of public disapproval.