SBI Manager Transferred After Refusing to Speak Kannada in Viral Bengaluru Spat

A branch manager of the State Bank of India (SBI) in Bengaluru Rural district has been transferred following a public outrage over her refusal to speak Kannada during an argument with a customer. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, sparked a fresh Hindi vs Kannada language debate in Karnataka.

The confrontation occurred at the Chandapura branch of SBI, where a customer repeatedly asked the manager to communicate in Kannada, citing the branch’s location in Karnataka. The official responded, “This is India, I will speak Hindi,” and refused to switch to the local language, prompting widespread backlash.

The viral video shows a heated exchange, with the customer emphasizing the need for Kannada in local services. The manager retorted that she would not speak Kannada “just for her,” insisting on using Hindi instead. The clip triggered mixed reactions online—some defended linguistic freedom, while others criticized the official’s lack of respect for the local language and culture.

Responding to the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a strong condemnation.

“The behaviour of the SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk, refusing to speak in Kannada and showing disregard to citizens is strongly condemnable,” Siddaramaiah posted on X.
“We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed.”

He urged the Finance Ministry and the Department of Financial Services to mandate cultural and language sensitivity training for all bank staff across India.

“Respecting local language is respecting the people,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also extended support to Kannada groups protesting the official’s behavior. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya stated that all banks operating in Karnataka must provide services in Kannada, reinforcing the importance of linguistic accessibility in customer service.

On social media, the issue trended under hashtags like #SpeakKannada and #LanguageRights, with users expressing frustration at the sidelining of Kannada in official spaces. Some criticized the manager’s “rude and dismissive” attitude, while others argued for the freedom to use Hindi as a national language.

Language disputes are not new in Karnataka, where Kannada pride and linguistic rights remain a sensitive political and cultural issue. Public servants and private institutions have previously faced backlash for not accommodating Kannada-speaking citizens.