Chandapur, Anekal Taluk: A manager at the Chandapur branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) has been transferred after a video of her refusing to speak in Kannada with a customer went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism.
The incident occurred when Mahesh, a local customer and leader of the KRS Party, visited the bank on Tuesday to withdraw money. On finding the cash counter unmanned, he approached the branch manager, identified as Priyanka, and questioned the delay in Kannada. In response, the manager reportedly replied in English. When Mahesh requested her to respond in Kannada, she allegedly said, “No, no Kannada. This is India, why should I speak Kannada? I will never speak Kannada,” in a loud and dismissive tone.
The video of the incident quickly spread online, drawing protests from Kannada activists and the local community. Members of the Jai Karnataka organisation, including Kiran Prabhakar Reddy and other leaders, visited the branch and condemned the manager’s behaviour. SBI regional officer Harish later arrived at the branch and instructed the manager to apologise. Priyanka reportedly expressed regret and assured that she would make efforts to learn Kannada.
“Respecting the local language is equal to respecting the people,” Siddaramaiah said in a message to the Union Finance Department, demanding mandatory training for bank employees in local language and culture.
Kannada organisations had earlier submitted a complaint to SBI General Manager Sushil Kumar, who later confirmed that action had been taken and the manager was transferred.
