Mohandas Pai Weighs In On SBI Manager's Language Row, Calls It ‘Very, Very Wrong'
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At an SBI branch in Bengaluru, a manager's refusal to speak Kannada sparked an argument with a customer.
Karnataka has recently emerged as a flashpoint in the ongoing language debate, particularly between Kannada and Hindi speakers. From the state government mandating Kannada signboards to rising tensions on the ground, the issue has increasingly spilled into the digital space. A recent example that sparked outrage was a viral video of a State Bank of India manager allegedly refusing to speak Kannada with a customer.
The incident occurred at a State Bank of India branch in Suryanagar, Chandapura, Bengaluru. The footage captures a customer requesting the manager to communicate in Kannada, while the manager insisted on speaking in Hindi. 'I will not speak Kannada for you. I will speak Hindi," she said. At one point, the customer even reminded the manager, 'Madam, this is Karnataka; you should speak Kannada. It's not about the chairman; there is an RBI rule that in that particular state, you must speak the respective language," to which the official turned a deaf ear.
'Every business must serve its local customers in a language they understand. This is not the British Raj again. This is a service business. Learning, say, 200 words to converse is difficult? Nobody is asking anyone to read and write, but to converse; learn a few words to show respect to your customers. They are customers, not your captives or subjects. Thus arrogance is very, very wrong," a part of his tweet read.
Pai's post was a response to an X user who defended the bank manager. While many Kannada-speaking and pro-Kannada groups have united in criticism of the official, some argued against mandating the use of a local language, emphasising the freedom to choose any language. One X user shared his perspective by citing Delhi's example, claiming that no one there is forced to speak Hindi or any particular language.
I'm once again saying, Come to Delhi, and don't speak in Hindi if you don't know/want, speak in English or sign language or whatever convenient. Nobody will be rude to you for not talking in Hindi. And certainly nobody would tell you that you came to delhi to beg. We know if you… pic.twitter.com/JeDvtiYgDS — Madhur (@ThePlacardGuy) May 21, 2025
'No hate for not speaking in Hindi, you're all welcome! And it's not just Delhi that is giving you a job/bread/money; it's both ways. You're giving employment to Delhiites too—the cabbies, sabzi walas, delivery boys, your house's owner—everyone is earning their living because of you. So, we're thankful that you chose Delhi as your destination," he wrote.
In response to the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly condemned the manager's conduct, while the bank swiftly transferred the employee involved.
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