Karnataka: SBI branch manager transferred over ‘refusal to speak Kannada’

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah called the manager’s refusal to speak in Kannada and English “strongly condemnable” and welcomed the bank’s decision to transfer the employee, emphasising the need for cultural and linguistic sensitivity across the banking sector.

The footage, which surfaced earlier this week, shows a customer repeatedly requesting the branch manager to speak in Kannada—the official language of Karnataka. However, the manager insisted on speaking in Hindi, saying, “I will not speak Kannada for you. I will speak Hindi.” The video was widely shared on social media, sparking condemnation from Kannada activists and political leaders across party lines.

“The behaviour of the SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk, refusing to speak in Kannada & English and showing disregard to citizens, is strongly condemnable. We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed...I urge the Ministry of Finance & Dept of Financial Services to mandate cultural and language sensitisation training for all bank staff across India. Respecting local language is respecting the people,” the chief minister posted on X.