A video from an SBI (State Bank of India) branch in Bengaluru has gone viral, showing a manager refusing to communicate in Kannada, triggering massive public outrage and a statewide language debate.
The incident occurred at the Surya Nagar branch in Karnataka’s capital, where a customer requested the bank manager to converse in Kannada. However, the female manager declined and said, “This is India. I will not speak Kannada. My mother tongue is Hindi.” Her response, captured on video, has stirred emotions across social media platforms, leading to widespread condemnation.
Viral Video Triggers Public Reaction
The video, widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), shows a visibly agitated customer reminding the bank official that they are in Karnataka. The manager retorts by asserting her national identity over the regional language preference. Soon after, users accused the SBI branch of disrespecting Kannada and imposing Hindi on local citizens. One user wrote, “SBI staff are insulting Kannada and forcing Hindi on Karnataka’s people. Immediate action is needed.”
ಇದುವೇ #ಹಿಂದಿಹೇರಿಕೆ
ನಾನ್ಯಾಕೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತಾಡ್ಲಿ..!
ಇದು ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ನೀನೇ ಹಿಂದಿ ಮಾತಾಡು ಎಂಬ ದುರಹಂಕಾರ ಮಾತುಗಳು..
ನೆಲ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಜನ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು
ನಮಗೆ ಸೇವೆ ಸಿಗಬೇಕಾದ ಭಾಷೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ನಮಗ್ಯಾಕೆ ಬೇಕು #ಹಿಂದಿ..?#ಕನ್ನಡ ನಿಮಗೆ ಬೇಡವಾದರೆ
ನಮಗೆ ನೀವೂ ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ..✊😡@TheOfficialSBI #boycottSBI#stopHindiImposition pic.twitter.com/2pH0bY1dsD
— ಚೇತನ್ ಸೂರ್ಯ ಎಸ್ – Chethan Surya S (@Chethan_Surya_S) May 20, 2025SBI Responds with Apology and Assurance
Following the backlash, SBI issued an official statement on social media expressing concern:
“We are deeply concerned about the incident at our Surya Nagar branch, AO South Bengaluru. An internal investigation is underway. SBI upholds zero tolerance for behavior that hurts customer sentiments. We are committed to respectful and dignified conduct for all citizens.”
Additionally, the manager involved released an apology video, though the damage had already caught significant public and political attention.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Reacts
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah weighed in on the matter, strongly condemning the SBI official’s refusal to speak Kannada and labeling her behavior as disrespectful to the state’s citizens. He thanked SBI for taking swift action, which reportedly includes transferring the manager from the branch.
The behaviour of the SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk refusing to speak in Kannada & English and showing disregard to citizens, is strongly condemnable.
We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed.…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 21, 2025Why the Kannada Language Issue Escalated
This incident has reignited the broader conversation around language rights and cultural respect in multilingual India. While many defended the manager’s right to speak her mother tongue, others emphasized that public servants in Karnataka should be able to communicate in Kannada.
The debate has now extended into larger themes of North-South cultural divide, language imposition, and regional identity, making this more than just a customer service dispute.
