After arguing with a customer, an SBI branch employee declares, I will never speak Kannada

A controversy has erupted in Karnataka after a State Bank of India (SBI) official at the Surya Nagar branch in Anekal taluk refused to speak in Kannada with a customer, sparking public outrage and calls for accountability.

A viral video of the incident shows the SBI staffer arguing with a customer over language use. When asked to speak in Kannada, the official responded, “I will never speak Kannada,” which further fueled anger. The official also questioned whether there was any rule mandating the use of Kannada in the workplace.

Social Media Outcry and Official Response

The video was widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), with users tagging SBI and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accusing the bank of imposing Hindi, misbehaving with customers, and violating RBI guidelines.

In response, SBI issued a statement saying it was:

“Deeply concerned about the recent incident... The matter is currently under thorough evaluation.”

The bank assured the public of its zero-tolerance policy toward behavior that undermines customer sentiment and promised a respectful and inclusive environment.

Protests by Kannada Activists

The issue has taken a political and cultural turn, with pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) planning statewide protests on May 21.

• Main protest: A march to SBI’s Head Office on St. Mark’s Road in Bengaluru, where a memorandum will be submitted.

• Simultaneous protest: Led by the KRV Women’s Wing outside the Chandapura branch on Anekal Road.

KRV state president TA Narayanagowda stated:

“This is not just about a language; it’s about dignity and respect for the people of Karnataka.”

KRV has also accused other SBI staff at the Chandapura branch of frequently disrespecting Kannada speakers and failing to provide services in the local language, which is a fundamental right under the Official Language Policy of Karnataka.

Background and Implications

Karnataka has long had a strong linguistic identity movement, with Kannada rights groups demanding that both government and private institutions operating in the state respect and use Kannada, especially in public-facing services.

The incident comes at a time when language sensitivities are running high across India, especially amid debates around Hindi imposition versus linguistic federalism.

This controversy may further increase pressure on central institutions like SBI to implement regional language support policies more strictly in line with RBI guidelines and state government directives.