'This is India, I'll speak Hindi': SBI staff sparks Hindi-Kannada row

An SBI official refusing to speak Kannada in Bengaluru triggered public outrage, an official apology, CM Siddaramaiah's condemnation, and a renewed Kannada pride debate

A video showing a heated exchange between a State Bank of India (SBI) branch manager and a customer in Bengaluru’s Surya Nagar has gone viral, fuelling Karnataka’s ongoing language debate. In the clip, the customer repeatedly requests the official to speak in Kannada, to which she responds that she will not use the local language and insists on speaking in Hindi. 

“I will not speak Kannada in Karnataka. Never. Speak in Hindi,” the official is heard saying.

 

When the customer reminds her, “This is Karnataka, ma’am,” she replies, “This is India,” adding that her mother tongue is Hindi. The clip, posted on X, drew swift reactions, with users tagging senior officials, the Reserve Bank of India, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, demanding action. 

 

This behaviour by @TheOfficialSBI Branch Manager is simply not acceptable.  If you are doing customer interface work in Karnataka, especially in a sector like banking , it is important to communicate to customers in the language they know. Being adamant like this is simply not… pic.twitter.com/VPB8i5eTvB

— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 21, 2025

  Apology issued after public outcry 

Amid mounting criticism and calls for action, the SBI official appeared in another video, offering an apology. With help from colleagues, she addressed the issue in Kannada:

 

“If I have hurt anyone, I sincerely apologise. I will try to cooperate and conduct my business in Kannada going forward.” 

The arrogant SBI manager who was saying She will never speak Kannada now apologised.  But look at her how she is giggling. @TheOfficialSBI she thinks this issue is a Joke. pic.twitter.com/RwaUSxFBEZ

— ????Che_Krishna????????????❤️ (@CheKrishnaCk_) May 21, 2025

  Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemns incident 

The matter caught the attention of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who condemned the behaviour and welcomed the bank’s swift intervention.

 

“The behaviour of the SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk, refusing to speak in Kannada and English and showing disregard to citizens, is strongly condemnable,” he wrote on X.

 

He added: “We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official.”

 

Siddaramaiah also emphasised the need to respect regional languages and urged for sensitisation training for banking staff nationwide. 

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, 2025

  SBI responds to viral video 

The State Bank of India issued a statement expressing concern and confirming that the matter is under thorough evaluation.

 

“We are deeply concerned about the recent incident at our Surya Nagar Branch of AO South Bengaluru. The matter is currently under thorough evaluation,” SBI said on X.

 

“State Bank of India maintains a policy of zero tolerance towards any behaviour that adversely affects the sentiments of our customers. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring respectful and dignified conduct towards all citizens.”

 

Kannada language debate reignited 

The incident has reignited Karnataka’s long-running debate on language, especially concerning the use of Kannada in public-facing roles. The row follows an earlier viral post urging “outsiders in Bengaluru” to learn Kannada, which triggered widespread discourse online.

 

Social media reactions remained divided. While many insisted that individuals working in Karnataka should respect and use Kannada, others argued that enforcing language preferences in a multilingual nation was impractical.

 

The debate quickly spilled over into broader North vs South India discussions online, with strong opinions voiced over language, identity, and inclusivity.