Bank Manager’s ‘Only Hindi’ Stance Sparks Outrage, Forced to Speak Kannada

A confrontation at SBI’s Chandapura branch in Bengaluru turned viral when the bank manager declared, “This is India, I will only speak Hindi,” refusing a customer’s request to use Kannada. The video, capturing her sarcastic dismissal, spread rapidly on X, sparking protests and reigniting Karnataka’s language debate.

The Viral Incident

The altercation began when customer Anil Kumar, a local businessman, asked manager Anjali Sharma to assist in Kannada, citing RBI guidelines mandating regional language use in banks. Sharma retorted, “I will never speak Kannada,” and challenged Kumar’s insistence with, “This is India, not just Karnataka.” Kumar’s video, posted on X at 2:15 PM IST, amassed 1.2 million views by May 21, per News18. Sharma’s tone, including a mocking suggestion to “go to the government,” fueled public anger, with netizens labeling her response “arrogant.”

Public and Political Backlash
Pro-Kannada groups like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged protests outside the branch on May 21, demanding Sharma’s suspension. Kannada Development Authority chief Purushotham Bilimale criticized the incident as disrespectful to Karnataka’s linguistic identity, per Deccan Herald. with some defending Sharma’s Hindi preference but most decrying her refusal to adapt.

SBI’s Response and Context
The incident echoes past tensions, like a 2023 metro signage row, reflecting Karnataka’s push to prioritize Kannada amid Hindi imposition fears, especially in Bengaluru’s cosmopolitan setting.

Broader Implications
The controversy underscores India’s linguistic diversity and regional sensitivities. RBI’s 2019 guidelines require banks to train staff in local languages, yet compliance lags in urban branches. Sharma’s transfer to another branch, reported by India Today, aims to defuse tensions, but activists demand stricter enforcement. As Karnataka navigates its cultural identity, the incident highlights the need for mutual respect in India’s multilingual landscape to prevent such flashpoints.