In a swift response to a language row that erupted in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the actions of a State Bank of India (SBI) branch manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk, who allegedly refused to communicate in Kannada or even in English while addressing customers.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), CM Siddaramaiah wrote, "The behaviour of the SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk refusing to speak in Kannada & English and showing disregard to citizens, is strongly condemnable. We appreciate SBI’s swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed."

The Chief Minister further urged the Union Finance Ministry and the Department of Financial Services to institutionalize cultural and language sensitisation programs across the country. "I urge the Ministry of Finance & Dept of Financial Services to mandate cultural and language sensitisation training for all bank staff across India. Respecting local language is respecting the people," he added.

The issue gained traction after local citizen expressed outrage over the branch manager’s unwillingness to speak the regional language, Kannada, or even English.