Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 21: In a shocking incident that has sparked statewide outrage, a viral video showing a State Bank of India (SBI) branch manager refusing to communicate in Kannada has led to swift action from authorities, with the official being transferred following public outrage and intervention from pro-Kannada organisations.
The incident occurred at the SBI branch in Chandapura, Anekal taluk, when a local customer, Mahesh, affiliated with the KRS party, approached the manager, identified as Priyanka Singh, seeking assistance as there was no staff at the cash counter. When he raised his concern in Kannada, the manager allegedly responded in English, prompting Mahesh to request her to speak in Kannada.
What followed stunned everyone — the manager reportedly refused to converse in the local language and said, “This is India, why should Kannada be spoken?” Her dismissive comments, including an outright “Never speak Kannada,” ignited anger among customers and Kannada activists.
Soon after the video surfaced and went viral on social media, local leaders from Jaya Karnataka organisation, led by Kiran Prabhakar Reddy, reached the bank and condemned the manager's remarks.
SBI's regional officer Harish also visited the branch and directed the manager to issue an apology. She later apologised, stating, “I will not behave like this again. I will try to learn Kannada.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reacting to the controversy, strongly condemned the incident. Taking to social media platform ‘X’, he said, “The SBI branch manager’s refusal to speak in Kannada is highly condemnable. We appreciate the bank’s immediate action in transferring the official. Bank staff must treat customers with dignity and respect the local language. Cultural and linguistic sensitivity training should be made mandatory for all banking staff.”
Pro-Kannada groups submitted a formal petition to SBI’s Head Office, demanding action.
Sushil Kumar, general manager of SBI, responded by transferring the manager, acknowledging the sentiments of the local population.
In the viral video, the manager was heard stating she will not speak in Kannada but only in Hindi, even as the customer pointed out RBI regulations that emphasise communication in the regional language.
With public sentiment running high, the government has reiterated the need for respect toward Kannada and urged the Union Finance Department to ensure all central institutions uphold linguistic and cultural inclusivity.