The State Bank of India (SBI) has issued a statement after one of its branch managers in Karnataka went viral for refusing to “speak in Kannada” with a customer, stating that she “lives in India”. The employee failed to show basic linguistic sensitivity, even as the customer pointed out that she should make an effort to speak the local language, all of which was recorded on video. Soon after, pro-Kannadiga groups started slamming her left, right and centre over her “pro-Hindi” and “anti-Kannada” stance. The backlash grew so much that she had to issue an apology over video, that too, in Kannada, before the bank took action. She has since been transferred to another branch, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed.

The bank said that it practises a “zero tolerance” policy towards such people. 

“State Bank of India maintains a policy of zero tolerance towards any behaviour that adversely affects the sentiments of our customers. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring respectful and dignified conduct towards all citizens,” said State Bank of India (SBI) in a statement. 

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Siddaramaiah ‘strongly condemns’ SBI manager’s remarks

Siddaramaiah has “strongly condemned” the SBI manager’s remarks, adding that “such incidents should not recur” – something that all banks and their employees must take note of. 

“All bank employees must treat customers with dignity and make every effort to speak in the local language,” the CM said while announcing the transfer of the bank official. 

He also urged people to “respect local language” and urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to issue a mandate on “language sensitisation training” for bank staff pan India. 

“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,” he said, before adding, “We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed. However, such incidents must not recur. All bank employees must treat customers with dignity and make every effort to speak in the local language.”

The CM, who is a strong supporter of “Kannada First”, said that “respecting local language is respecting the people”. 

Outrage, apology and transfer: Viral videos of SBI manager

It all started when a video of an SBI manager went viral on social media, where she repeatedly said that she won’t speak in Kannada but in Hindi as she lives in India. 

“You haven’t given me this job,” says the SBI manager in the now-viral video as she refuses to speak in Kannada.

In response, the customer reminds her, “This is Karnataka, madam,” urging her to speak in the language familiar to locals. 

The employee didn’t budge; instead, she said she would only speak in Hindi. “So? This is India,” the SBI manager says, adding that the customer can take up the matter with her chairman.

Before she leaves the scene, she reiterates, “I will never speak Kannada.” That’s when the customer appeals to Kannadiga groups to stand united on the issue.

She, however, took a U-turn after facing ire from the Internet and apologised. “If I have hurt anyone, I sincerely apologise. I will try to cooperate and conduct my business in Kannada going forward,” says the SBI manager in broken Kannada with the help of her colleagues.