A new controversy over language erupted in Karnataka after a video surfaced showing a branch manager of State Bank of India (SBI) in Chandapura, Bengaluru Rural, refusing to speak Kannada despite a customer’s repeated requests. The incident, which was caught on camera, has triggered outrage online and offline.
In the viral video, a woman customer can be heard insisting that the SBI manager speak in Kannada, pointing out that she was working in Karnataka. However, the manager responded by asserting her preference to speak in Hindi, stating, “You have not given me employment,” and adding, “I will speak Hindi.”
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
@TheOfficialSBI @RBI This is the behaviour of SBI bank manager surya nagar branch Anekal in Karnataka,customer is requesting to give service in Kannada,she is behaving so rude with the customer, says she will not speak in kannada,plz do check whether she is mentally fit for work pic.twitter.com/A357biSEYl
— ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ ಸಮಿತಿ ಪಕ್ಷ-KRS Party (@krs_party) May 20, 2025
Heated Exchange Sparks Online Debate
The argument escalated as the customer reminded the manager, “This is Karnataka,” to which the bank official replied, “So? This is India.” The conversation continued for several minutes:
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Customer: “This is Karnataka, madam.”
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Bank Manager: “So? This is India.”
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Customer: “Kannada first, madam.”
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Bank Manager: “I will not speak Kannada for you.”
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Customer: “So you will never speak in Kannada?”
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Bank Manager: “No. I will speak Hindi.”
The video quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. Some social media users supported the manager’s right to speak any language, while others criticized her for being dismissive and disrespectful towards the local language.
Pro-Kannada Groups Plan Protest
Amid the backlash, several pro-Kannada activist groups have announced plans to protest against SBI. They intend to march to the bank’s main branch and submit a memorandum, demanding accountability and respect for the state language.
As the language debate intensifies, the bank has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
