Bengaluru: SBI branch manager, who refused to speak in Kannada with customer, transferred; Siddaramaiah says 'Such incidents should not be repeated'

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday condemned the reported misconduct of a State Bank of India (SBI) branch manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk, who allegedly refused to communicate in Kannada or English and displayed disregard for citizens.

“The behaviour of the SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk refusing to speak in Kannada and English and showing disregard to citizens is strongly condemnable,” Siddaramaiah said in a statement posted on social media.

The Chief Minister appreciated SBI’s prompt response in transferring the official concerned and said the matter may now be treated as closed. However, he stressed that such incidents should not be repeated.

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.

We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed.…

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 21, 2025

“All bank employees must treat customers with dignity and make every effort to speak in the local language,” he said, urging the Union Finance Ministry and Department of Financial Services to mandate cultural and language sensitisation training for all bank staff across the country.

“Respecting local language is respecting the people,” Siddaramaiah added.

Watch the viral video of the SBI bank manager:

Bengaluru Chandapura SBI Branch Manager says "she will never speak Kannada" as this is India and she speaks Hindi

RBI has given clear guidelines saying staff should provide service in the local language@TheOfficialSBI
better take action against her.pic.twitter.com/llkqTjsW7R

— Che_Krishna@CheKrishnaCk_) May 20, 2025