22-05-2025
‘Will Try To Converse…': SBI Official, Who Refused To Speak In Kannada, Apologises
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In response to the backlash received after triggering a major 'language debate' on social media, the lady manager issued an apology saying that she would try to converse in Kannada
Hindi Vs Kannada row: The non-Kannadiga State Bank Of India (SBI) manager, who recently made the headlines after a video showed her allegedly refusing to speak Kannada with a customer, has now issued an apology in Kannada for 'hurting sentiments'.
In response to the backlash received after triggering a major 'language debate' on social media, the lady manager issued an apology saying that she would try to converse in Kannada.
In the video being widely circulated on social media platforms, the official repeats in Kannada, 'Whoever got hurt because of me, I'm sorry. I will try to converse in Kannada," as she is coached, presumably by her colleagues, on what to say.
The arrogant SBI manager who was saying She will never speak Kannada now look at her how she is giggling. @TheOfficialSBI she thinks this issue is a Joke. #RajivGandhi #HHVMGrandPressMeet
— Rebel_Warriors (@Rebel_Warriors) May 21, 2025
The separate video of her apologising has emerged after the official in question was reportedly transferred by the SBI. The new video was shared by multiple handles on social media platform X, with several comments following each of it.
What Was In The Viral Video?
A branch manager of an SBI Bank in Bengaluru Rural's Chandapura was harassed after she refused to speak in Kannada, as a customer kept insisting and reminding her that 'this is Karnataka".
In the video, the customer kept asking the bank official to speak in Kannada as she was working in a bank in Karnataka, however, the bank employee insisted on using Hindi as she lives in India. The argument between the two went on for a few minutes, leading a disagreement.
Kalesh b/w a SBI branch Manager and Local guy over not speaking kannada inside Bank: — Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) May 20, 2025
This sparked outrage on social media with several users claiming that individuals can speak any language they want, while several termed the bank employee rude as she refused to speak in Kannada.
The incident attracted widespread criticism on social media, following which Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the incident and informed that the official has been transferred by the bank.
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 appreciate SBI's swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed.…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 21, 2025
'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 said in a post on X.
First Published:
May 22, 2025, 18:44 IST
