“We’re 70% Here, Won’t Speak Kannada”: Verbal Clash Between Bengaluru Firm Security Guards and Man Sparks Outrage

A language dispute at a Bengaluru private firm escalated after a man allegedly said, “We’re 70% here, won’t speak Kannada,” during a clash with security guards, sparking a wider debate on local language respect and social media reactions.

A language-related disagreement at a private company in Bengaluru has sparked a heated debate online after a video and an accompanying post highlighted growing tensions over the use of Kannada in the workplace. According to the post, two private firm security guards were allegedly confronted by a man after they spoke to him in Kannada, leading to a verbal clash. What appeared to be a routine interaction soon escalated into a reflection of the city's broader linguistic shifts and frustrations.

The post explains that for years, Bengaluru’s residents, especially in busy areas such as Majestic and the railway stations, have willingly adapted to multiple languages such as Hindi, Tamil and Telugu to make newcomers feel comfortable. Even landlords often switched to the tenants’ preferred languages during communication. However, the social media users suggests that the trend is changing. 

Some newcomers from North India reportedly refuse to learn Kannada and sometimes assert, “We’re 70% here, won’t speak Kannada.”

This change, the post argues, has left many long-time Bengalureans feeling that their linguistic openness is now being taken for granted. It calls on locals to address the matter quietly and wisely, urging that the solution does not lie in confrontations or in the behaviour, but in fostering understanding and restoring mutual respect.

How did Social Media React?

The incident prompted strong reactions online, with users discussing similar issues across India. Comments have been reproduced exactly as they appeared:

One user commented: “Same in telugu states, especially Hyderabad. Let's stand for each other unitedly.”

Another user commented: “This is a growing menace especially in Bengaluru.Instead of learning and respecting the local language,most of these outsiders arrogantly impose their language,which is the trigger.”

Third user commented: “Learning the local language gives a sense of belonging. Every state has its own language, and many are slowly fading away. Let’s be open to adapting the language and culture of the place we live and work in. That’s how we grow together.”

These reactions highlight a widely shared concern that local languages are not just means of communication but symbols of cultural identity. As Bengaluru continues to grow as a cosmopolitan hub attracting people from across the country, the conversation around language remains crucial. The discussion calls for sensitivity, respect and a willingness to adapt so that the city can grow together harmoniously.