Influencer’s controversial Bengaluru comment: An Instagram influencer has sparked outrage on social media after stating in one of her reels that North Indians are responsible for building Bengaluru and suggesting that the city could not survive without migrants. Sugandh Sharma, who identifies as a travel vlogger, made these statements in a video that quickly went viral, drawing significant backlash from the local community and even Kannada celebrities!
In the viral video, Sharma argued that if North Indians were to vacate Bengaluru, the city would become deserted, even implying that the paying guest (PG) accommodations would remain empty. Sharma further claimed that the city’s charm would diminish if migrants left. “The Kannadigas must understand that before asking us to leave,” Sharma said in the video. She captioned her original video with the phrase, ‘Bangalore sabka hain kisi ek ka nahin,’ meaning, ‘Bangalore belongs to everyone, not just one person.’
Her comments, perceived as an attempt to gain social media fame at the expense of Bengaluru’s reputation, did not sit well with many. However, after facing significant backlash, she posted a follow-up video to clarify her feelings. In it, she expressed her love for Bengaluru, referring to it as the Silicon Valley of India, and urged viewers not to promote hate.
Kannada Celebrities React
In response, several prominent Kannada celebrities took to social media to criticize her statements, urging her to leave the city if she felt so strongly about it. They emphasized the importance of Bengaluru as a melting pot of cultures and a thriving tech capital, built on the contributions of diverse communities.
Popular actress Chaithra Achar wrote, “If you can actually leave, just as an experiment, and see how Bangalore becomes empty, we are ready to live with that emptiness and dancers less pubs. We can live with it. Really. Forget all other North Indians. You leave ma’am, enough for now.”
Actress Varsha Bollamma wrote, “Please leave.” Another actress, Anupama Gowda, added that Sharma’s video is not acceptable and that she needs Bengaluru more than she realises. As Bengaluru continues to evolve, the influence of various cultures will remain a pivotal aspect of its identity, making it essential for discussions around migration to be approached with nuance and respect.