Bengaluru Techie Moves Office to Pune Over Language Row, Sparks Nationwide Debate
In a move that has stirred public discourse and reignited the language debate in India’s tech capital, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Kaushik Mukherjee announced that he will relocate his company’s office to Pune within six months. His decision, shared via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), is being viewed as a direct response to what he termed ongoing “language nonsense” in Karnataka.
Today I took a decision to wind up our Bangalore office in the next 6 months and move it to Pune. If this language nonsense is to continue, I do not want my non Kannada speaking staff to be the next “victim”.
This idea was mooted by the staff themselves.
I agreed to their POV. https://t.co/M9abD2OYOD— Kaushik Mukherjee 🇮🇳 (@kush07) May 22, 2025
Mukherjee’s decision follows a viral incident at an SBI bank branch in Bengaluru where a manager refused to speak Kannada with a customer, triggering a backlash from local leaders and Kannada activists.
“I Don’t Want My Staff to Be the Next Victim”
Mukherjee, co-founder of a tech startup in Bengaluru, wrote:
“If this language nonsense is to continue, I do not want my non-Kannada-speaking staff to be the next ‘victim’.”
He revealed that the decision to shift base came after multiple employees raised concerns about increasing hostility toward non-Kannada speakers. “I agreed with their point of view,” he added.
SBI Incident That Sparked the Firestorm
The immediate catalyst appears to be an altercation at the SBI Chandapura branch in Bengaluru. A viral video showed a bank manager refusing to speak Kannada with a local customer, stating, “This is India, I’ll speak Hindi, not Kannada.”
The incident drew condemnation from political leaders, including Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who declared the manager’s behavior “not acceptable.” Surya emphasized that public-facing employees must communicate in the local language, especially in sectors like banking.
Political Reactions and Government Response
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also condemned the SBI manager’s conduct, urging the Union Finance Ministry to initiate cultural and language sensitivity training for bank staff nationwide. The SBI later transferred the manager and issued an apology. The manager, in a subsequent statement in Kannada, promised to be more sensitive in future customer interactions.
Kannada Development Authority Weighs In
The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) highlighted a concerning trend: the increasing deployment of non-Kannadigas in customer-facing roles. According to the KDA, this leads to alienation of the local population, especially in government-linked institutions like banks.
As per Reserve Bank of India norms, all banks must provide services in English, Hindi, and the regional language, which in Karnataka is Kannada. However, implementation is uneven, often leaving native speakers underserved.
Corporate Fallout: A Trend in the Making?
Kaushik Mukherjee’s decision has opened the floodgates for a broader debate within India’s corporate community.
Many are now questioning whether language-related workplace dynamics could influence investment decisions and talent mobility in states like Karnataka.
“Companies must feel confident that their employees will be treated fairly, regardless of linguistic background,” said one HR consultant based in Hyderabad. “This isn’t just about language — it’s about fostering inclusive, respectful work environments.”
Implications for India’s IT and Startup Ecosystem
Bengaluru, often dubbed the Silicon Valley of India, thrives on its cosmopolitan workforce. With a mix of people from across the country and abroad, any perceived regional hostility can have serious repercussions for its reputation as a global tech hub.
Industry experts suggest that policymakers must balance linguistic pride with inclusivity to ensure Karnataka remains attractive for businesses.