Latest news with #non-Kannada-speaking
News18
06-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Canara Bank Under Fire For No Kannada-Speaking Staff In Rural Branches, Here's How It Responded
Last Updated: A recent incident at the AIT Circle branch in Chikkamagaluru district has brought the issue back into focus after a woman customer struggled to communicate with bank staff Canara Bank is once again facing criticism for failing to offer banking services in a language that customers can understand, especially by posting non-Kannada-speaking staff in rural areas of Karnataka. A recent incident at the AIT Circle branch in Chikkamagaluru district has brought the issue back into focus after a woman customer struggled to communicate with bank staff. In a video recorded by the customer, she can be heard saying that money meant for hospital expenses had been deducted from her account but the staff member was unable to explain the reason behind the deduction. The woman is also heard saying that a similar issue had took place the previous month. As another person tried to intervene, the woman expressed her frustration, stating that she could not understand what the staff member was saying and questioned how can they make her sit there. 'I don't know English," she added. Chikkamagaluru is predominantly rural, with many residents relying on agriculture and plantation work for their livelihood. The Canara Bank employee, who was initially heard speaking Malayalam to another person, admitted that she was unable to effectively communicate with the customer. 'She is unable to follow what I am saying," the staff member is heard saying in the video. As the video quickly went viral, members of Kannada Sene, a pro-Kannada group, accused the bank of employing only Malayalam- and Hindi-speaking staff at the branch. They claimed this made it difficult for local customers to carry out basic banking tasks. The group urged the bank manager to assign Kannada-speaking staff to all customer-facing roles to avoid such issues in the future. In response to the backlash, Canara Bank issued a statement on social media platform X, acknowledging the concerns raised. The bank stated that Karnataka is not just a location for them, but the very birthplace of the bank, where its journey began over a century ago. 'Kannada is our foundation, your support is our strength. For Canara Bank, Karnataka is not just a state — it is our birthplace, the very first foundation of our journey that began over a hundred years ago," the bank wrote. The bank further assured the public of its commitment to serving customers in the local language across all branches in Karnataka. '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," it added. First Published: July 06, 2025, 22:55 IST
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Unacceptable to appoint Tamannaah as brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal soap: Yaduveer
1 2 Mysuru: A day after state govt appointed actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal soap, Mysore MP Yaduveer Wadiyar on Friday strongly criticised the govt's decision, calling it "inappropriate, irresponsible, and deeply disrespectful to Kannada identity." Mysore Sandal soap is a legacy product manufactured by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), a company founded in 1916 by Mysuru Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the brand, the BJP MP condemned the Congress-led govt's move as "foolish" and "insensitive." "This institution was established by our own Maharaja over a century ago and has been part of Kannada households for generations. The majority of its consumers are Kannadigas," Wadiyar said. "To choose a non-Kannada-speaking actress with no cultural or emotional ties to Karnataka as the face of such a heritage brand is not only absurd, but unacceptable," he said. "If a brand ambassador was truly necessary, govt should have selected a prominent Kannada actress who represents the spirit and values of Karnataka," he said. "Tamannaah Bhatia neither speaks the language nor understands the cultural ethos of our state. Her appointment does a disservice and hurts the sentiments of Kannadigas," he added. Wadiyar demanded the immediate withdrawal of the appointment. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
North vs South: Tamannaah Bhatia's appointment as brand ambassador of Mysore Sandal Soap faces flak; 'no Kannada actor?'
The Karnataka government has recently appointed Bollywood actor Tamannaah Bhatia as the new brand ambassador of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), the company behind the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap. The announcement, made official on May 22 has quickly ignited controversy, with critics questioning the choice of a non-Kannada-speaking actor to represent one of Karnataka's most treasured heritage brands. According to the state government's official order, Tamannaah Bhatia will hold the ambassador role for two years and two days, for which she will be paid ₹6.2 crore. While the move is aimed at revitalising the brand's image and expanding its market reach, it has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. According to the Hindu, Members of the Yuva Karnataka Vedike staged a protest outside KSDL's Yeshwantpur factory in Bengaluru on May 23. The group condemned the appointment, calling it an 'anti-Kannada' decision by the government. Protesters questioned the rationale behind selecting Tamannaah, a multi-lingual actress, and allocating a hefty amount of crores for her endorsement. They argued that Mysore Sandal Soap had already generated profits exceeding ₹400 crore without relying on celebrity endorsements. The protesters demanded that the government cancel the deal, emphasising the brand's deep-rooted legacy in Karnataka's culture and identity. Additionally, the decision has also sparked sharp criticism from the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), which slammed the appointment as 'irrational, irrelevant, unethical, and irresponsible.' The Vedike said in a statement, 'There are many talented and popular Kannada actresses who could have done justice to the role while also connecting emotionally with the people of Karnataka. Instead, the government has chosen a Bollywood face, sending out a wrong message and appearing to endorse Hindi cultural dominance over Karnataka's local ethos.' The public sentiment on social media mirrored this discontent. One user commented on X, 'This soap has a legacy and decades of loyal customers. I don't understand what Tamanna brings to the table or how much she'll actually improve the business — she's not a household name across Karnataka forget India.' Another asked, 'Mysuru sandal soap is pride of Karnataka. Doesn't the Kannada industry have good actresses?' Yet another remarked, 'Nandhini milk sells outside #Karnataka without a popular face.. We don't need celebrities to sell our 100-year-old legacy authentic #MysoreSandalSoap.' In response to the backlash, Minister for Commerce & Industries M.B. Patil addressed the concerns raised by activists and netizens. While reiterating his deepest respect and regard for the Kannada language, identity and film industry, the minister emphasised that business competitiveness was a key factor behind the appointment. Describing the move as thoughtful and research-backed, Mr. Patil explained that the brand is implementing a multi-pronged strategy to achieve an ambitious turnover target of ₹5,000 crore by 2028. In a post on X, the minister wrote: 'We believe that what you sow is what you reap. That's why we are sowing excellence — in products, people, processes, and partnerships... The appointment of #TamannaahBhatia as brand ambassador is a well-researched move — given her pan-India appeal, strong digital presence, and resonance with youth.' He further elaborated that the selection of a brand ambassador considers several factors, including availability (especially if an actor has a non-compete agreement), social media reach, alignment with the brand and product, target audience, and overall marketing effectiveness. Patil hinted that Tamannaah's appointment is part of a broader strategy to aggressively expand Mysore Sandal Soap's market presence beyond Karnataka, signalling a comprehensive and strategic overhaul for the brand. It is noteworthy that Tamannaah has primarily built her career in South Indian cinema and is well-known across that region. She began her acting journey with the Hindi film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra (2005) before making her Telugu debut with Sree (2005) and Tamil debut with Kedi (2006). Over the years, she has delivered several notable performances in Telugu films and in Tamil cinema. Given her pan-India presence, what do you think about her appointment as the face of Mysore Sandal Soap?
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru tech founder to shift office to Pune over language tensions, Kannadigas say ‘good riddance'
In a move driven by ongoing language tensions in Bengalur, a city-based tech founder has announced plans to wind up the company's office within six months and relocate operations to Pune. The decision comes amid growing concerns over pressure on non-Kannada-speaking staff in the city. The founder, Kaushik Mukherjee, said the move was prompted by what he termed "language nonsense," adding that he did not want his non-Kannada-speaking employees to become "victims" of the ongoing linguistic climate in Bengaluru. The idea, he revealed, was originally raised by his staff, whose concerns he chose to support. (Also Read: Bengaluru man flags lack of Kannada in vehicle loan papers: 'Took me 1.5 hours to understand') The announcement has stirred strong reactions online, with users weighing in on the implications. Some cautioned that Pune may not be entirely free from similar issues, warning, 'In Pune, there's a risk of your staff getting roughed up by MNS for not speaking Marathi.' Others suggested alternative cities like Gandhinagar or Noida, 'where no one cares about language.' Many commenters sarcastically applauded the founder's decision, saying, 'That's a great decision. Good riddance. Thank you for helping decongest our beloved city.' Others advised, 'Meanwhile, ask your non-Marathi staff to learn Marathi while you move to Pune.' (Also Read: 'Difficult to learn 200 local words?': Mohandas Pai reacts to row over SBI manager's refusal to speak Kannada) A fresh language controversy erupted recently in Bengaluru after a State Bank of India (SBI) manager reportedly refused to speak Kannada to a customer. The incident sparked outrage among locals who viewed the refusal as disrespect towards the regional language and culture. Social media quickly amplified the issue, with many demanding strict action against the bank official for ignoring the language sensitivities of the state.
Mint
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Kannada language row: Bank manager insists on speaking ‘Hindi'; furious customer says, ‘This is Karnataka, madam'
Bengaluru has long been celebrated as a cultural and linguistic melting pot. However, this diversity has also given rise to recurring debates over language—particularly prominent in recent times, with tensions between Kannada and Hindi speakers. From the government's mandate requiring Kannada signboards to clashes between auto drivers and non-Kannada-speaking passengers, language has become a flashpoint across the city. The discourse often spills into online spaces, where it frequently takes on a divisive and hostile tone. Now, another video has emerged online showing an SBI manager refusing to speak in Kannada, triggering a fresh language row. The incident is reported to be from Chandapura, a suburb in the south of Bengaluru. Here's how the heated exchange unfolded between a customer and a bank official at an SBI branch in Chandapura, Karnataka: Customer: 'Wait a second, this is Karnataka.' Bank Manager: 'You have not given me employment.' Customer: 'This is Karnataka, madam.' Bank Manager: 'So? This is India.' Customer: 'Kannada first, madam.' Bank Manager: 'I will not speak Kannada for you.' Undeterred, the customer continued pressing the official to speak in Kannada. Customer: 'So you will never speak in Kannada?" Bank Manager: 'No. I will speak Hindi.' What followed was a back-and-forth standoff: Neither side relented, and the conversation soon reached a stalemate. The customer then reminded the official: 'Madam this is Karnataka, you should speak Kannada. It's not about the chairman, there is an RBI rule that in that particular state you must speak the respective language.' But the manager stood her ground: 'I will never speak Kannada,' she declared. 'Super, madam, super,' the customer responded sarcastically. The man, who filmed the entire interaction, urged others to act: 'Viewers, this is the SBI branch in Chandapura, you should all teach a lesson to this branch, we should all be united.' In response to the incident, pro-Kannada activist groups have announced a protest. They plan to march to the SBI main branch tomorrow and submit a memorandum demanding action.
