A recent language controversy in Bengaluru has reignited the debate over linguistic inclusivity in workplaces and public services, culminating in a tech entrepreneur’s decision to move his company out of Karnataka. Here’s a detailed explainer on what happened
What instigated the row
The issue came to the fore after a viral incident at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Bengaluru’s Chandapura area. In a widely circulated video, a manager was seen refusing to speak Kannada with a customer, declaring, “This is India, I’ll speak Hindi, not Kannada.” The video triggered sharp criticism from Kannada activists, local leaders, and the public, who saw it as a disregard for the state’s official language and the sentiments of its people.
Public and political opinions
Bengaluru South MP and BJP Yuva Morcha National President Tejasvi Surya strongly condemned the SBI manager’s behavior. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Surya wrote:
“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 right.”
Surya highlighted that he had raised the issue of mandatory local language knowledge for bank staff multiple times in Parliament and with the Department of Financial Services (DFS). He called for strict enforcement of policies that require banks to post staff who can communicate in the local language, especially in customer-facing roles.
He further emphasized:
“Banks working in Karnataka should serve customers in Kannada. Period.”
Tech industry’s response
Amid this heated debate, Kaushik Mukherjee, a Bengaluru-based tech entrepreneur, announced his decision to relocate his company’s office to Pune within six months. Citing the “language nonsense” as the primary reason, Mukherjee posted on X:
“If this language nonsense is to continue, I do not want my non-Kannada-speaking staff to be the next ‘victim’.”
He explained that the move was prompted by concerns raised by his employees, particularly those who do not speak Kannada, and that he agreed with their perspective.
Altercation on Language in Silicon Valley
Bengaluru, often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of India,” is a cosmopolitan city that attracts talent from across the country and the world. The city’s tech ecosystem thrives on diversity, with English and Hindi commonly used as link languages. However, the recent incident underscores the tension between local linguistic pride and the need for inclusivity in a global workforce.
Policy and implementation gaps
The controversy has highlighted gaps in the implementation of existing policies. According to Tejasvi Surya, the DFS policy mandates that banks accommodate officers up to Scale-III in their respective linguistic regions to ensure seamless customer service. However, the viral SBI incident suggests that enforcement remains inconsistent.
Following public outcry, authorities have pledged to take action against the SBI manager involved and to reinforce the policy of local language use in public services. The incident has also sparked wider discussions in Parliament and among business leaders about the importance of linguistic sensitivity in a diverse society.
The SBI language row has not only led to political and public backlash but has also prompted real business decisions, with Kaushik Mukherjee’s company set to leave Bengaluru. The episode serves as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities of operating in a multilingual nation and the need for both policy enforcement and cultural sensitivity in India’s workplaces and public institutions.