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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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
