BENGALURU: A fresh twist in the ongoing language debate erupted after a man, seen in a viral video saying “So what if this is Bengaluru, speak Hindi,” posted an apology in Kannada on Monday. The video, filmed on April 20, reignited tensions between Hindi and Kannada speakers after the man was caught telling an auto driver: “Whether you’re in Noida or Bengaluru, speak in Hindi.” The auto driver, in response, insisted on speaking Kannada, triggering a heated exchange.
The video quickly went viral, with the man, who remains unidentified, earning the nickname ‘Hindi warrior’ on social media. The incident divided opinions: some supported the use of Hindi, while others—especially Kannadigas—expressed anger at being pressured into speaking a non-native language in their home state.
In his apology video, the man, who claimed to have lived in Bengaluru for nearly nine years, stated that he did not mean to offend anyone. He admitted to regretting his outburst and revealed that he had visited the local police station to apologise for his actions. However, the apology only fueled more debate, with some accusing Kannadigas of forcing apologies, while others doubted the man’s sincerity.
The controversy highlights the growing resistance to “Hindi imposition,” particularly in the wake of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s proposed three-language formula, which is drawing strong opposition in Karnataka, following similar sentiments in Tamil Nadu.
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