SBI row: Branch manager transferred after refusing local language, ¡®Virat Kohli¡¯s is here since 2008¡ªwhy no Kannada?¡¯ netizens say

A State Bank of India (SBI) branch manager stationed in Surya Nagara, located in Bengaluru¡¯s Anekal Taluk, was transferred this Tuesday. This action followed the circulation of a video where the official refused to speak in Kannada with a customer, sparking reactions from the public and political leaders.

Video triggers backlash over language refusal

In the widely circulated clip, a customer is seen asking the manager to communicate in Kannada¡ªthe state¡¯s official language. The manager, however, stands firm on speaking Hindi instead, stating, ¡°I will not speak Kannada for you. I will speak Hindi.¡± The video drew criticism from Kannada rights groups and political figures across party lines.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah condemned the manager¡¯s refusal to use Kannada or English, calling it unacceptable. Welcoming SBI¡¯s decision to transfer the employee, he said such actions must prompt sensitivity towards local languages and cultures in customer-facing roles.

Political leaders call for policy enforcement

Chief minister Siddaramaiah urged the Finance Ministry and the Department of Financial Services to implement language and cultural awareness programs for bank staff nationwide. He stated, ¡°Respecting the local language means respecting its people.¡± He added that the matter should now be considered closed after the transfer.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also voiced strong concern. He stressed that customer service roles in Karnataka must include Kannada communication. Referring to an existing policy that recommends local language skills for staff, Surya said, ¡°Looks like this still isn¡¯t being enforced properly.¡± He urged SBI to take stricter action in accordance with the guidelines and revealed that he had spoken with concerned authorities about the incident.

Netizens and public react with mixed opinions

While many supported the leaders¡¯ calls, others on social media presented different views. X user Shiva Mudgil highlighted the structure of SBI¡¯s pan-India system. She argued that employees don¡¯t choose where they¡¯re posted and are often relocated every few years, making fluency in regional languages a challenging task.

¡°Local clerks can help bridge such gaps,¡± she wrote, adding that language expectations shouldn¡¯t override core banking skills. In another post, Mudgil recalled her own childhood where her father, an SBI employee, was transferred across multiple Indian states. ¡°How many languages should one learn?¡± she asked.

Wider debate over language expectations

The Reserve Bank of India mandates that banking services be provided in three languages: English, Hindi, and the state's official language. Despite these rules, the video showed the manager refusing Kannada interaction even when reminded of these guidelines. The issue has reignited discussions on practical implementation of multilingual policies in centralised institutions.

The incident also prompted debate among citizens online. One user questioned, ¡°Virat Kohli has played for RCB since 2008¡ªhas anyone forced him to learn Kannada?¡± Another joked, ¡°Only this guy can survive in every state in this era of language wars.¡±

Virat Kohli has been playing for RCB since 2008 and Nobody forced him to learn Kannada yet? Why? ?

¡ª Madhur (@ThePlacardGuy) May 21, 2025

A third comment took a sharper tone: ¡°You consider non-Hindi speakers as non-Indians? That¡¯s nationalist hypocrisy.¡±

Wah re nationalist. You consider non Hindi speakers are not Indian & calling others a divider for speaking up for his language in his land. If you had checked my TL, you'd know I am not a congress follower.

¡ª Chronicle (@Gr8WarLord) May 22, 2025

A fourth user wrote, ¡°This is SBI, not Kannada Bank. Use Google Translate or ask for a translator. Don¡¯t turn it into a language war when the country has real battles to fight.¡±

SBI bank is national bank not Kannada bank. If worried ask for Kannada translator or check on Google translate. Don't force a language war when a nation is at war with an external enemy.

¡ª Wild Vinds??? (@Vindsofchange) May 22, 2025

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