SBI Bank manager refuses to speak Kannada in bengaluru, transferred after uproar

A video from SBI’s Chandapura branch shows a manager refusing to speak Kannada, sparking outrage and protests across Karnataka.

Transcript

00:00This SBI bank manager at Bengaluru's Chandpura branch refused to speak in Kannada,

00:08despite a customer repeatedly reminding her that this is Karnataka.

00:21The duel dragged on for several minutes with neither party willing to switch languages.

00:25Meanwhile, other employees tried to calm the customer by speaking in Kannada.

00:30The customer, who had been recording the entire incident, later urged viewers to take action.

00:37This is the SBI branch in Chandpura. You should all teach this branch a lesson.

00:42We must stay united, he said.

00:47FYI, in a 2015 circular, the RBI instructed all banks to adopt a board-approved policy for managing branches.

00:53It also mandated that banks display indicator boards and posters in English, Hindi and the local regional language.

01:00Especially in rural and semi-urban branches.

01:02If a bank refuses to communicate in the regional language, customers can file a complaint through the RBI's Banking Ombudsman Scheme.

01:08The scheme allows customers to escalate issues related to service deficiencies.

01:12However, after the SBI manager's video went viral, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike announced statewide protests,

01:18calling it a blatant insult to Kannadigas and citing repeated language barriers at SBI branches.

01:23Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaya tweeted on 21st May 2025, appreciating SBI's swift action

01:29in confirming that the branch manager had been transferred.

01:32Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaya comes in a small relationship.

01:34Here Karnataka!

01:35So, this is India.