A video showing a heated argument between a driver and a toll booth employee over language has reignited the ongoing Kannada language debate on social media. The incident, which took place at a toll booth on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, shows the driver lashing out at the employee for speaking in Hindi, demanding that he speak in Kannada instead. The video has since gone viral, sparking widespread discussion and debate online.
This is how olatagaras force north Indians to speak Kannada.pic.twitter.com/kpeCHtT6if
— Pooja Sharma (@PoojaSharm2201) September 16, 2024
In the footage, the driver is seen angrily questioning why the employee is not conversing in Kannada, to which the employee defends himself, stating that Hindi is spoken across India. The tense exchange continues as both individuals refuse to back down, and the toll booth employee begins recording the confrontation on his phone.
The video, which has garnered over 73,000 views and around 200 likes, has drawn strong reactions from social media users, with many taking sides in the ongoing language debate.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The viral video prompted a flood of responses on X (formerly Twitter). One user commented, “They have to speak or else they can go to their respective states and build there,” while another argued, “Forcing the toll operator to speak Kannada is unacceptable. The toll operator should file an FIR.”
Others offered broader perspectives on the language issue, with one user noting, “And no one forces Kannada people to speak in Hindi when in the north. I see a tremendous divide between people from the south and north. We should learn to coexist.” Another added, “The area is North Karnataka, where many locals are Marathi speakers. In India, every 100 km, you’ll find a different language and culture. It’s illogical to expect someone to learn the local language just because they work there.”
Social Media Language Debate Intensifies
The Kannada language row has taken social media by storm, especially after a viral post stated, “To everyone coming to Bengaluru, you will be treated as OUTSIDERS in Bengaluru if you don’t speak Kannada or make an effort to speak Kannada.” This post ignited a surge of responses, with users expressing both support and opposition, deepening the North-South language divide.
As the debate continues to unfold, the language issue remains a hot topic across social media, reflecting the broader conversation about regional identity, linguistic pride, and national unity.
