SBI Chandapura Manager Transferred Overnight For Refusing to Speak Kannada

The manager of the State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Chandapura was abruptly transferred to another state after she and the bank came under heavy fire from Kannada-speaking citizens and pro-Kannada groups for her alleged arrogant conduct during a language-related altercation with a customer.

The controversy erupted when a customer requested the manager to speak in Kannada. Instead, she reportedly refused in a dismissive tone, asserting she would "never speak in Kannada" and adding that Karnataka is not the only part of India. In a video that has since gone viral, the customer can be heard invoking the Reserve Bank of India's three-language policy, but the manager stands her ground, insisting the customer switch to Hindi.

The manager, said to be from North India, allegedly insisted the customer speak in Hindi, further fueling anger among Kannadigas. The incident took place when the customer had visited the branch for routine work.

Widespread outrage followed, with Kannada activists and citizens condemning what they termed the manager's anti-Kannada stance. The bank's prompt decision to transfer the official overnight has been seen as a response to mounting public pressure.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the manager's behaviour and lauded SBI for acting quickly.

Meanwhile, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya took to social media platform X to criticise the manager's conduct. "This behaviour by @TheOfficialSBI Branch Manager is simply not acceptable," he wrote, calling on the bank to enforce the Department of Financial Services (DFS) policy mandating the use of local languages. "Banks working in Karnataka should serve customers in Kannada. Period," he asserted.

Basavaraju Padukote, an activist from the Kannada Rakshana Vedike, pointed to recurring incidents at SBI branches where locals feel discriminated against. "We are giving SBI a month's time for all managers to learn Kannada and use it in communication. If not, we will gherao the branches. Officers with such mindsets should be terminated. We demand an apology and behavioural change," he said. He also urged the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to prioritise employment opportunities for Kannadigas.

In a dramatic turn, protestors stormed the SBI Chandapura branch and staged a sit-in outside the manager's room, demanding she be called in to apologise. They refused to end the demonstration until their demand was met.

This incident comes close on the heels of a similar controversy involving singer Sonu Nigam, who recently sparked backlash for comments perceived as dismissive of Kannada. The repeated instances have reignited the debate on the need to uphold and respect regional languages in public-facing institutions.