Bengaluru auto-rickshaw driver calls city ‘first class,' explains Kannada row with grace; says some drunk men create issues

Indian Express

6 days ago

In the midst of growing tensions and social media debates over the use of Marathi and Kannada in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, respectively, a heartwarming moment has emerged from Bengaluru, winning hearts online. A video of a candid conversation between a young woman and an auto-rickshaw driver is now going viral for all the right reasons, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the usual narrative of hostility and conflict.
The video, shared on Instagram by user Khyati Shree, features her chatting with an auto driver as she tries to learn some basic Kannada phrases. He responds with patience and warmth, and when she asks about the recent spats over language issues in Bengaluru, his reply is disarmingly honest.
'Yeh thoda aadmi log daru wagera peke rehta hai, aisa aisa karke jhagda hota hai,' he says. 'Warna koi problem nahi hai, acche se rehte hai sab… Bengaluru ke andar sab first class hai.' (Some men get drunk and do mischief, otherwise there are no problems. Everything is first class in Bengaluru.)
In other words, according to him, most of the so-called issues are blown out of proportion. What looks like anger, he explains, is often 'just frustration,' sometimes triggered by personal stress or alcohol, not any deep-seated animosity. He insists that within the city, people generally live peacefully and with mutual respect.
Khyati, who has lived in Karnataka for four months, wrote in the caption that her own experience mirrors the driver's sentiment. Despite reading about ongoing 'Hindi vs Kannada' issues, she said she never faced any problems while traveling across the state, even in remote areas. 'As long as you're respectful, no one cares what language you speak,' she wrote. 'Knowing English definitely helps, but it's more about attitude than language.'
A post shared by Khyati Shree (@khyatishree2)
The video has struck a chord with many online. One viewer commented, 'Good awareness dear… respect each other… Bangalore people are not that bad! I've been here 25 years and never had any issues.'
Another pointed out the importance of privacy in such content, writing, 'You should blur the face in videos like this. People like him deserve to be protected.'
One user said, 'Kannadigas are welcoming, but respect must be mutual. If you want to live here, learn Kannada, speak Kannada, and respect Kannada… This is not forcing—it's a natural expectation. Everywhere in the world, people value their language and culture.'