Bengaluru debate sparks over refusal to learn Kannada after 18 years

A Bengaluru resident’s social media post about his friend’s refusal to learn Kannada even after living in the city for 18 years has ignited a fierce debate on language and local identity.

Prajwal Bhat, on X, shared that despite his efforts to teach his friend basic Kannada phrases, she declined, accusing Kannadigas of bias. Their interactions have since become limited. This sparked widespread reactions, with many users recounting similar experiences of long-term residents in Karnataka who haven’t embraced the local language.

One commenter called it “really bad” that someone could live in a place for 18 years without learning the language. Another questioned whether there had been disrespect involved, pointing out that English communication is usually sufficient for daily life. A third shared a personal story about a friend from Tamil Nadu who stayed in Bengaluru for 15 years without learning Kannada and sided with Tamil Nadu on regional issues, eventually moving back.

On the flip side, some users expressed pride in learning new local languages, describing it as an achievement and a sign of respect. One user said they learned Punjabi during a short stay in Punjab and are now learning a mix of Tulu and Kannada in Karnataka.

The debate reflects ongoing conversations in Karnataka about the importance of learning Kannada, especially in Bengaluru, a city with a large migrant population. The discussion touches on issues of cultural integration, respect, and regional identity.

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