A Bengaluru techie has sparked widespread attention after deciding to relocate his company’s office to Pune, citing growing frustrations with what he termed as “language nonsense” in the city. Entrepreneur Kaushik Mukherjee made the announcement on X, explaining that his non-Kannada-speaking staff raised concerns about the rising linguistic tensions, and he agreed with their viewpoint.

The decision follows a viral incident at an SBI branch in Bengaluru’s Chandapura area, where a manager refused to communicate in Kannada, insisting on speaking in Hindi instead. The video triggered a major backlash from Kannada activists and political leaders. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticized the manager’s behavior as “not acceptable” and emphasized the importance of banks and public services accommodating the local language in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, also condemned the manager’s actions and urged the Finance Ministry to implement language sensitivity training across banks in India. The SBI manager has since been transferred and has issued a public apology, promising to show greater cultural sensitivity in the future.

The Bengaluru techie’s move highlights a deeper conflict over language rights in Karnataka, where local communities are pushing back against what they see as the erasure of their linguistic identity in public institutions. According to the Kannada Development Authority, there is a rising trend of non-Kannadigas in customer-facing roles, which they argue is alienating local citizens.

As per Reserve Bank of India guidelines, banks must provide services in English, Hindi, and the regional language. However, Kaushik Mukherjee’s decision reflects the growing discomfort among private sector employers about navigating these cultural tensions while maintaining a harmonious and inclusive work environment.