Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the State Bank of India (SBI) official, who was seen refusing to speak Kannada in a viral video. The Chief Minister said that the behavior of SBI branch manager in Surya Nagra was “strongly condemnable” and insisted that “respecting the local language is respecting people”.
In a post on X, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, “SBI branch manager in Surya Nagra, behavior of Annikel taluk, refusing to speak in Kannada and English and disregarding citizens, is strongly condemnable. We appreciate SBI’s fast action in transferring the officer. The matter can now be closed.”
The behavior of SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagra is strongly condemnable, unal taluk Kannada and in English, refusing to disregard citizens.
We appreciate SBI’s fast action in transferring the officer. The case can now be considered closed.
– Siddaramaiah (@Siddaramaiah) May 21, 2025
The Chief Minister, who is known to return the Kannada organizations, said that all bank employees in Karnataka should try to speak in Kannada. “However, such incidents should not be done again. All bank employees should treat dignity with customers and make every effort to speak in local language. I urge @Finminindia and urge @finminindia and urge financial services for cultural and language sensitization training for all bank employees across India for financial services. I am honoring the local language.
The transfer of SBI officer follows the trend of a viral video in which he is seen refusing to speak as a customer in Kannada. When the customer says, “This is Karnataka”, she answers, “You have not given me employment”. When the customer repeats, “This is Karnataka”, she hits back, “This is India.” She also says that she will “speak Kannada for you” and she will speak Hindi. The person recording the exchange said that the SBI branch should be “taught a lesson”.
Viral video and action against bank officials have made the line of Kannada language again in the headlines. While supporters-Kanada organizations argue that migrants working and living in Karnataka should learn local language, others emphasize that no one should be forced to speak the language. The language line has often publicly given warm arguments, the videos of which have gone viral and have stopped further debate.
SBI official remarks criticized BJP MP Tejasavi Surya from Bangalore South. He said, “This behavior of @TheOFFICIALSBI Branch Manager is not only acceptable. If you are working as a customer interface in Karnataka, especially in the field like banking, then it is important to communicate customers in the language that they know. It is not right to be adamant in this way,” he said.
“I have time and the issue of posting the local employees or employees again has been raised, which knows the local language in banking works, both inside and outside both the Parliament. A few weeks ago, in a public account committee meeting, I raised this issue for DFS Secretary, which gave me the need to follow an office notification. Is, “He said.
He said, “I have talked to the concerned authorities to take action against this manager who have treated this way. Banks working in Karnataka should serve customers in Kannada.”
