In Bengaluru, tensions over language are making headlines as a viral video shows a local confronting a non-Kannada speaker, urging him to learn Kannada after over a decade of residency in the city. The video, widely shared online, captures the local resident questioning the non-Kannada speaker on why he hasn’t made an effort to learn the regional language. The local argues that learning Kannada is essential for respecting the local culture, while the non-Kannada speaker maintains it hasn’t been necessary in his daily life. In response to the non-Kannada speaker’s question about his proficiency in Hindi, the local shifts the conversation back to the importance of learning Kannada in Bengaluru.
The debate reflects ongoing cultural conversations in Bengaluru, where Kannadigas advocate for greater recognition of their language amidst the city’s rapidly changing demographic. Locals feel that learning Kannada is crucial for integrating into Karnataka’s society, with one native remarking, “You want a job here, you want a salary here, but you don’t want the language here.”
In a related gesture to promote the language, an auto driver in Bengaluru has created a “Learn Kannada with Auto Kannadiga” poster inside his vehicle. The guide, featuring common Kannada phrases with English translations, aims to help non-Kannada speakers communicate with locals.
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