By News Karnataka
Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka 鈥 A video of a Kannada-speaking woman pleading with a Canara Bank official for assistance in her native language has sparked outrage online and reignited the debate over linguistic inclusivity in public sector banks in Karnataka.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows the customer at the Canara Bank AIT Circle branch in Chikkamagaluru distraught over an unexplained financial deduction. As she seeks clarification from the staff, she is heard saying, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know English,鈥 visibly upset that she cannot receive assistance in Kannada, the official language of the state.
The bank official, reportedly a Malayalam-speaking staffer, responds, 鈥淪he is unable to follow what I am saying,鈥 highlighting a communication breakdown caused by the language barrier.
Public backlash and Kannada Sene protests
The incident drew sharp criticism from Kannada language advocacy groups, particularly Kannada Sene, which condemned the appointment of non-Kannada-speaking staff in customer-facing roles in Karnataka鈥檚 rural areas. The group claimed such placements alienate the local population, particularly elderly customers and farmers, who may not be comfortable communicating in Hindi or English.
Protesters have since demanded that Kannada-speaking personnel be compulsorily deployed in all bank branches across the state.
Canara Bank鈥檚 official response
In light of growing public anger, Canara Bank issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirming its commitment to serving customers in Kannada:
鈥淜annada is our foundation, your support is our strength. For Canara Bank, Karnataka is not just a state, it is our birthplace. Kannada is not merely a language to us, it is a feeling, a pride. We are committed to providing services in the local language at every branch in the state.鈥
The bank also clarified that staff from other states are often posted across branches as part of national policies, but insisted that it would strive to improve Kannada-language service availability.
Not an isolated case
This isn鈥檛 the first time such an incident has occurred. In May 2025, another video emerged from the State Bank of India (SBI) Surya Nagara branch in Anekal Taluk, where an official reportedly refused to speak in Kannada with a local customer, again prompting backlash.
Repeated episodes of linguistic insensitivity in Karnataka鈥檚 public banking sector have raised questions about inclusivity and accessibility, especially for rural populations.
Karnataka鈥檚 stand on language rights
Karnataka has long defended the right of its citizens to access essential services in Kannada. The Karnataka Official Language Act, 1963, mandates the use of Kannada in administrative and public dealings. However, implementation remains inconsistent, particularly in centrally governed institutions like banks, insurance firms, and railway services.
What comes next?
Language rights activists are urging the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Finance Ministry to issue clear directives making regional language proficiency mandatory for customer service roles in state-run banks.
As the video continues to stir debate across social and political platforms, it serves as a stark reminder that access to language is access to rights, particularly in public-facing institutions meant to serve all citizens equally.