Siddaramaiah condemns behaviour of SBI Branch Manager refusing to speak in Kannada
Bengaluru, May 21 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday condemned the behaviour of an SBI branch manager in Anekal taluk for refusing to speak in Kannada, after a video of her allegedly arguing with a customer over the use of the state’s language went viral on social media.
In the video, which surfaced on Tuesday, the woman manager can be heard saying, “I will not speak in Kannada for sure… but Hindi.” She repeatedly refuses to speak in Kannada even as the customer cites RBI guidelines mandating the use of regional languages in customer interactions.
The incident drew sharp criticism from Kannada activists and pro-Kannada groups, who demanded an official apology and action against the staff member.
Taking to 'X', Siddaramaiah appreciated SBI’s prompt action in transferring the official.
“The behaviour of the SBI branch manager in Surya Nagar, Anekal taluk, refusing to speak in Kannada and 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,” he said.
However, Siddaramaiah added that such incidents must not recur.
“All bank employees must treat customers with dignity and make every effort to speak the local language. I urge @FinMinIndia and the Department of Financial Services to mandate cultural and language sensitisation training for all bank staff across India. Respecting the local language is respecting the people,” he said, with the hashtag 'KannadaFirst'.
BJP Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya also condemned the manager’s behaviour, stating it was “simply not acceptable.” He said banks in Karnataka must serve customers in Kannada.
He recalled that just a few weeks ago, during a Public Accounts Committee meeting, he had raised this issue with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary, who had assured him that action would be taken to enforce an office notification mandating local language proficiency for such roles.
“Looks like this still isn’t being properly enforced. I urge the concerned authorities at @TheOfficialSBI to immediately implement the DFS policy that mandates local language requirements. I have spoken to the relevant officials to take action against this manager who behaved in this manner,” he added.
Former Infosys Chief Financial Officer T V Mohandas Pai said he fully agrees with the Chief Minister, adding that all customers should be treated with dignity and respect.
“In every state or district, those in service roles should make every effort to speak the local language to show respect and dignity to local citizens. Never look down on non-English speakers. Hindi is not the default language over the local language. We need a locally inclusive service culture,” he said on ‘X’.
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.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 21, 2025
We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed.…
I fully agree with our @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah all customers should be treated with dignity and respect. In every state or district people who serve should try their best to speak the local language to show respect and dignity to local citizens.never look down on non English… https://t.co/vqEn5tUOe5
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) May 21, 2025
Well done, Officer! 🇮🇳
— Ashwini Dubey 🇮🇳 (@ashwini_dubey) May 21, 2025
You firmly stood up to unfair pressure — that’s commendable.India is a diverse nation, and no officer should be forced to use only a regional language if it's not practical.
Let regional recruitment be the solution — not language bullying.Bankers serve the… pic.twitter.com/fIRdweJ0xz
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Hamas alleges abuse, collective punishment at Rafah crossing, Gaza exit still remains restricted
Gaza: Hamas on Tuesday accused Israeli authorities of subjecting Palestinians returning to Gaza through the Rafah crossing to mistreatment, abuse and extortion, describing the alleged actions as collective punishment rather than routine border procedures.
In a statement, the Palestinian group claimed that testimonies from travellers pointed to practices such as the detention of women, blindfolding, prolonged interrogations, threats involving children and attempts to coerce individuals into collaboration. Hamas said these actions were intended to instil fear and discourage Palestinians from returning to their homes, and called on international human rights organisations to document the alleged violations, as reported by AL Jazeera.
The allegations come amid continued uncertainty over the functioning of the Rafah crossing, which reopened on Monday after nearly two years of closure. According to reports, around 135 Palestinians have reached the crossing seeking permission to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment, though only a small number have been allowed to exit so far.
On the first day of reopening, Israel permitted only five critically ill patients to cross into Egypt. On Tuesday, a limited number of additional patients were reportedly allowed to leave, while the return of Palestinians to Gaza has also remained slow and unclear.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the crossing’s operations. ICRC spokesperson Pat Griffiths said the uncertainty was compounding the suffering of Palestinians who have already endured prolonged trauma, noting that many expressed a desire to return to normal life despite understanding that recovery would take considerable time.
Journalists reporting from southern Gaza told Al Jazeera that families were anxiously waiting for relatives separated for years, with little information on who would be allowed to cross or return. Restrictions at the crossing, including limits on personal belongings and lengthy screening processes, have further added to delays.
