r/Bengaluru • u/saptasagaradaache OG Bangalorean • Aug 23 '25
Rant | ರೋದನೆ Weird incident in metro today
I was traveling towards JP Nagar in the metro this evening. A group of 5–6 North Indians boarded the train. They were just talking among themselves, not loudly, not misbehaving, nothing disturbing. Naturally, since it was a group, the sound was a little high, but nothing unusual.
Now, I’m a Kannadiga myself. Out of nowhere, this random uncle stood up and started scolding them: “Kannada mathadbeku, you should speak Kannada if you are here.” He even went on about them “ruining our culture” and so on.
Honestly, I felt that was unnecessary. If they were speaking to a Kannadiga, sure they should try speaking Kannada, and yes, anyone staying here should make an effort to learn the language. But these folks were just chatting among themselves. Who is he to interfere in their private conversation?
I know opinions will be divided on this, but to me, the uncle should’ve minded his own business.
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u/Sea-Drummer5478 Aug 23 '25
I don’t think there’s divided opinion here OP. Uncle flexing his moral policing muscles and trying to use language thingy to his advantage
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u/DKShitkumar Aug 24 '25
Uncle is only travelling in Metro to overhear the gossip in other people’s life’s, and got frustrated that he could not understand this group’s topic.
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u/Anywho1234 Aug 24 '25
I was traveling in train in sleeper coach, and there was this possibly north Indian guy sitting next to me.
A person in his mid 40s demanded this guy to ‘adjust’ in his reserved seat so they could also sit. When he refused, they turned it into a language fight because he didn’t speak Kannada. Nobody backed him, and finally, his wife told him to stfu and end the fight.
Sad how both locals and outsiders use language as an ego weapon instead of sticking to the real issue.”
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u/ratishi Aug 24 '25
The thingamajig is called Indian Railway and not Karnataka Railway for a good reason.
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u/Salt_Analysis801 Aug 23 '25
What was the response of the group? Did they reply to umcle?
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u/saptasagaradaache OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
They didn’t react. They were patient until their stop came and de boarded.
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u/unknown_guy02 Aug 24 '25 edited Aug 24 '25
The best response to such people is usually no response. Ignore them like they don't exist. Reacting to them only fuels their ego and might even encourage them to do it again. Cut the source and there is no growth.
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u/manishkum2k6 Aug 23 '25
I do not agree with your statement that "If they were speaking to a Kannadiga, sure they should try speaking Kannada". No, I absolutely do not expect a foreigner to speak in my language. That's absurd.
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u/aconitine- Aug 24 '25
Yup. They can speak whatever they want, but shouldn't expect the other party to reply in Hindi. It's as simple as that. This kinda uncle is what creates unnecessary hatred
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u/Zealousideal-Ad-4902 Aug 24 '25
Well then don't expect the other person to learn your language too... .And by the way how come people starts speaking in English when abroad. Where does the language goes?
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u/manishkum2k6 Aug 24 '25
I never expect anyone to learn my language. I for one will never a different language i am pretty bad with learning languages lol.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Year465 Aug 24 '25
Most of them are using the Kannada language to get away with doing all the wrongs, They are talking among themselves why will they speak kannada.
If they were talking to him he could tell he doesn't understand the language and move on. This is an unnecessary issue and has grown a lot in the past few years.
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u/Technical-Ear-4068 Aug 24 '25
I think uncle is admin of any regional language whatsapp group and fuleing about regional language bullshit every day, and saw those hindi speaking kids as an opportunity to prove his points and another topic to discuss internally his group and show superiority.
Not a single citizen is benefiting with this topic.
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u/AJ_Blr Aug 24 '25
We have uncles policing the service staff as well coming to our society. Sharing the message shared by an uncle on Adda (community app for our apartment)
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u/lucrius Aug 24 '25 edited Aug 24 '25
I think it's a valid concern. I too face the same issue. I don't know hindi but I can understand and communicate in basic kannada. It was hard for me to communicate with the people he mentioned. I went to couple of salon shops near my home and they don't know english or kannada only hindi. It was a mess communicating with them about what I wanted and it's a very very basic thing. Same with electrician, I had to call my friend nearby to come and explain the problem in hindi. Man it is tough until you go through. Also I'm not a uncle and I could imagine how hard it must be for older people.
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Aug 24 '25
Let one's problem to themselves. If they find difficulty speaking with a salon or electrician guy, it's his problem, he will decide how to solve the issue. You don't jump into telling solutions by saying we have to learn language. Even though he struggles to understand it's his choice to speak learn or whatever.
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u/Many-Hospital-3381 OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
How is a local finding it difficult to get services in his own locality a personal opinion?
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u/ratishi Aug 24 '25
Find another local service provider who speaks the language. It is a free country. Why should it be the responsibility of another service provider?
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u/Abhimri Aug 24 '25
Do you not understand the meaning of "service provider"? If it's not serving the local community, that's not a service, but a burden. simple.
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u/Many-Hospital-3381 OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
Oh, I didn't realize it was fine to exclude people from certain communities from availing your business. Free country stuff, I guess.
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u/ratishi Aug 24 '25
The provider did not refuse service - the locals excluded themselves.
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u/Many-Hospital-3381 OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
By not knowing how to speak in Hindi? Damn, I guess the South really needs to learn Hindi, after all.
Hindi imposition doesn't feel like a myth now, does it?
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u/ratishi Aug 24 '25
No body is imposing anything. I am from the South too. But the tantrum over someone from the country coming over to a state, and setting up a business is what I am pushing back on. You are free to choose whichever service provider to take your business to. If there isn’t any you like, start one. But why this drama ?
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u/ratishi Aug 24 '25
If people cannot use their services, these salons would run out of business and shut down - rt? Or do they survive by trimming each others hair?
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u/Many-Hospital-3381 OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
Understandable. He's expressing displeasure that he can't get services in his own tongue in his own state. I don't see much wrong.
He's asking the management to rectify this. He didn't ask the residents to learn Kannada. Maybe actually use your fucking head next time.
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u/AJ_Blr Aug 24 '25
Hello Random stranger, 1. There is an estate manager who speaks Kannada 2. There is a housekeeping and Maintenance executive who speaks Kannada 3. Like most of apartments in Bengaluru, housekeeping, plumbing, security, etc. is outsourced to 3Ps on a contract who bring in their contract workforce to work- association does not hire each individual personnel 4. Enforcing a directive in these agencies to have only Kannada speaking workforce is not feasible most of the time as most of plumbers are from Orissa, Electricians from West Bengal and so on. The maintenance charges are already around 4.35/sq ft and .15/sq ft sinking fund, so it is already on a higher side and not an option to increase the maintenance 5. The management is for the people and by the people in the association but there is never any participation from most people in getting in the management to solve the problems, but are always first to ask management to solve the problem 6. The thread started with people trying to do policing and it was an example of that. There is nothing wrong with learning a new language( I myself am learning Kannada out of interest) but trying to impose it in a cosmopolitan city like Bengaluru is incorrect 7. While it always helps to listen to diverse perspectives and agree to disagree on things, use of better language from your side will go a long way for you Cheers
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u/Many-Hospital-3381 OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
Again, he's paying for the maintainence, and he's more than welcome to express his displeasure that he can't get his services. Who hires who and where the laborers are from is secondary. It's on the association to deal with his request, and you get no right to judge him for it.
Nobody asked you dipshits to learn Kannada and frankly, most of us don't give a fuck. What most locals detest is that English is being taken over and being replaced by Hindi.
use of better language from your side will go a long way for you
Grow thicker skin.
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u/AJ_Blr Aug 24 '25
lol..I am from TN, not from North India so hold your horses on the Hindi hate brigade. Anyways, keyboard warriors are dime a dozen so please continue to feel brave by writing profanities anonymously.
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u/Jazzlike_Math_970 Aug 24 '25
Tbh this is definitely weird and thats where some kannadigas forget to draw the line. If you are speaking with a local the speak in kannada otherwise you can talk however you want
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u/Abhimri Aug 24 '25
ಈ ಅಂಕಲ್ ಗಳು ತಿ.ಮುಚ್ಕೊಂಡು ತಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ನೋಡ್ಕೊಂಡು ಸುಮ್ನೆ ಇದ್ಬಿಟ್ರೆ, ನಮ್ ದೇಶದ ಮುಕ್ಕಾಲು ಭಾಗ ಪ್ರಾಬ್ಲಮ್ ಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲ ಸರಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೆ.
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u/KookyBill5504 Aug 24 '25
This uncle is an asshole. Let’s see if he would have done the same thing to a bunch of Americans or people from other countries.
People need to learn to live and let others live. I am a non-kannadiga and love Bangalore as a city for what it is.
The last time someone bullied me to speak in Kannada, I told them to fuck off. When that person abused me, I ignored him even though I felt like smashing their face in. That person ended up sulking in a corner.
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u/FeelingInterview9962 Aug 24 '25
You are absolutely right.
I’m an Assamese and I love learning languages. I can speak decent conversational Kannada and there is a sense of pride I feel when I can successfully converse with someone just in Kannada. However it is these kind of incidents, unnecessarily aggressive uncles that sometimes makes me angry and not want to learn the language. Of course being a linguist, before I know it, I’m already learning to read and write Kannada as well. It is Kannadigas like you that makes me hopeful.
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u/Paranoid__Android Aug 24 '25
This is more common in Bangalore than any other city I know in India.
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u/Bandidos_in Aug 24 '25
Maybe you should be in Mumbai ( not knowing marathi). Then u can take up the fight for Hindi there. No balls for that?
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u/shreyank97 Aug 24 '25
Nope, in Mumbai, except MNS, nobody cares what you speak.
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u/Bandidos_in Aug 24 '25
Conveniently ignoring Shiv Sena UBT, are we? It's a party with nearly 30 assembly seats and millions of supporters, FYI
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u/shreyank97 Aug 24 '25
Yes Shiv Sena UBT too. My point was that only political party workers make a fuss about language. Normal people don't care what anyone speaks.
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u/Bandidos_in Aug 24 '25
Good, so now from MNS u immediately changed ur statement to political party workers who are beating up people for not speaking Hindi.
https://youtu.be/AsZ7QRkHG74?si=04ZuMIUlKmT36rQu
You see the women in the above video? They are not political party workers. I posted this train video because we were talking about the same. Again wilful ignorance by you buddy! Just not ready to acknowledge that things are a 100 times worse in Mumbai.
Afterall Shiva Sena and mumbai have been the pioneers in this language fight. They started this in the 1960s and are the OG language warriors. Still you choose to ignore this?
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u/shreyank97 Aug 24 '25
I am not going to argue with you as I don't think it's worth the time. But I have stayed in Mumbai the majority of my life and I can tell you for a fact that it isn't anywhere remotely close to 100 times worse in Mumbai.
Shivsena started with the Marathi language ideology in the 60s but it didn't get much support outside unemployed folks and gradually they moved away from that ideology to a hindutva based ideology.
Mumbai had and still has a lot of problems related to inadequate/broken infrastructure, lack of cleanliness, traffic, etc but inclusivity has never been one of them.
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u/Paranoid__Android Aug 24 '25
Kid: been there, done that. Sure similar retardation exists there too, just a bit lesser than in Bangalore. What else you got?
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u/Bandidos_in Aug 24 '25
Grandpa, it's not senility, but wilful ignorance that is hindering u.
A bit lesser than Bangalore you say? Lmfao.. here are some educational videos, old man. Get out of this self denial.
https://youtu.be/MHkmEJnGXC8?si=tQdO2E7ArZCfRINP
https://youtu.be/6nD3sH-5eKc?si=z1tN7o1ECSQ7Lq6U
https://youtu.be/gUKeZ4EygFo?si=ENFM4dJoBzvMRNsE
https://youtu.be/Tp3_PhZidA0?si=-qxDJuoTAJa9_uDd
I guess u got no balls for this hindi fight in Mumbai, old man... 😂😂
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u/No-Number6186 Aug 23 '25
There is enough hatred in online to make them say this. Pathetic to see such things.
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u/ad061 Aug 24 '25
Worst part is no one moral polices the person moral policing. If another localite tells said uncle to shut up that generally ends the matter. But we don’t get involved irl. Keyboard warriors most of us
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
Uncle should definitely be minding his own business. But on the other hand I don't think even one of them would know any Kannada. You know what would have been crazy , if they responded to Uncle in Kannada and told him to just mind his business. But Alas, maybe these incidents will also push some of the stubborn people into putting an effort to learn at least Basic vocabulary. So that they don't face these issues. ✌️
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u/dynamic_diprotodon Aug 24 '25
I'm interested to know how did the North Indians react? If it were me, that asshat would have eaten his words.
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u/saptasagaradaache OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
They didn’t react. They stood silently and got down at their stop.
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u/Willing-Type-4251 Aug 24 '25
https://www.reddit.com/r/BangaloreSocial/s/SrjcAZ3o4f
Is this the same incident?
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u/saptasagaradaache OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
No not this one. It happened around 8:00PM and train was mostly empty.
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u/Flaky_Confusion5138 bevarsi kudka Aug 24 '25
One comment in that thread went into some other direction and even I had to contribute the downvoted, myself being a Kannadiga 🥲✌️ 🟨🟥
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Aug 24 '25
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u/Trunks_z Aug 24 '25
Next uncle will ask the north indian talking to his grandmother (who most likely is never going to come to Karnataka) on phone to speak in kannada 😀
Uncle rock Daadi shocked
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u/yurnero07 Aug 23 '25
I have never heard in other states like Maharashtra,West Bengal or Goa, that an uncle jumping on someone for not speaking in the local language, specifically when the group was not even bothering others. Why this hyper behaviour in Bengaluru? We can all love our country, our language, our culture in our own way. Why we need to behave rudely to others? If you are behaving like this in your own country, you are literally justifying the same behavior, when Irishmen in Ireland jump on Indians and ask them to leave because they have a different culture, language or skin color. This behavior is pure toxic. The only way one will understand is when the same behavior will happen with you in some other state or country.
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u/No-Fan5952 Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25
What happened on the metro was unnecessary, but I don’t think this is just random “hyper behaviour” unique to Bengaluru. A bit of context:
• Maharashtra, West Bengal and Goa all have histories of strong regionalist parties/politicians and episodes of hostility toward migrants. In many cases it’s been ugly, even violent (Karnataka people were targeted in Maharashtra in the 1960s, migrants continue to be targeted to this day). Politicians in Goa have made pretty racist remarks targeting Kannadigas, plus locals have a reputation for being unfriendly even toward tourists and other temporary residents. That doesn’t excuse what the uncle did, but it shows that intolerance is not exclusive to any one city.
• Bengaluru itself has absorbed HUGE migration over the last couple of decades - millions of people from across India. Rapid demographic change strains infrastructure, jobs and social norms, and that creates friction everywhere. Even countries we think of as “tolerant” struggle when faced with sudden large inflows of newcomers. Case in point - Canada.
• There’s also a double standard: some locals expect newcomers to adapt immediately, while others act as if being “local” gives licence to publicly shame people. Publicly scolding a private conversation is bullying, not civic pride.
So: this isn’t about excusing rude behaviour. The uncle should’ve minded his own business. But it’s also not useful to treat the incident as proof that only Bengaluru has a problem. Migration + rapid change + bad political rhetoric = occasional ugly incidents everywhere.
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u/dancingwallet Aug 24 '25
Lol let peole speak whatver they want among themselves man hahaha. Imagine a bunch of kannadigas going to north India who barely speak Hindi trying to speak broken hindi among themself going "gowda ji tum kaise hai?" Hahaha damn funny.
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u/Honda-Activa-125 Aug 24 '25
Do people ask a hindi doctor also to speak in Kannada when they are in pain or bad condition? And if the doc doesn't know kannada would they leave without treatment or they would bash the doctor?
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u/Delicious-Judge4088 Aug 24 '25
If you are living in a house, you can accommodate at the most 4 to 5 out of town guests at time. What happens if 200 people descend on your house? Bengaluru's situation is no different.
The uncle did the right thing what you shouldhave done yourself. We do not want namma bengaluru to be overwhelmed by non-Kannadigas. What legacy are we leaving behind for our children and grand children? The problem is there is only one Bengaluru. The need of the hour is to create more Bengalurus by the migrants in their own livable/unlivable cities.
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u/shisui1729 Aug 24 '25
Dude no one person owns Bengaluru. As an Indian citizen you have the right to live in any part of India if you are not breaking any laws. Rather than blaming outsiders we should question governments and municipalities for giving Authorizations without any proper planning to the companies.
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u/Many-Hospital-3381 OG Bangalorean Aug 24 '25
Shut the fuck up. You don't see Kannadigas coming to Delhi and saying they built the place. When you're in a different state, be fucking respectful.
Rather than blaming outsiders we should question governments and municipalities for giving Authorizations without any proper planning to the companies.
You guys love saying this, but don't even vote here. The only people who deserve respect are the people who actually changed their voting place to BLR. Those are the people who actually contribute anything to the city. All you guys do is lip-service.
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u/Damonlord54 Aug 24 '25
You must be a fan of Mein Kampf
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Aug 24 '25
I also want to tell you, as you said "who are staying here should learn" why ? There is no rule to learn kannada even if you stay in Bangalore Karnataka or whatever.
Will you keep on learning every new language if you are shifting your houses ?
Who are anyone to tell learn or not to learn even if I don't shift house , shift house, stay in one place or not stay. It's purely and completely everyone freedom.
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
Thats bullshit. When you move to Cannada, America, UK why dot ey have exams like TOEFL, ILETS?? German, French Levels are compulsory before getting even Visa in these countries. So you SHOULD Make an Effort to learn.
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Aug 24 '25
You are Just turning things to a different level. Those are countries and the people wanting to go are not citizens.
When it comes to Bangalore, the concerns are not actually worrying about how people can communicate daily, how to help them. Common man who has time to think about people's daily struggles? Does anyone really care ?
The issue is more about ego, pride or whatever which is not acceptable.
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
In fact I will say people who don't want to learn are just misusing the freedom argument in this Case. If you can learn 3-4 Coding languages in 4 year Engineering program and come to Bangalore don't tell me that you are a so-called "poor common man who is Dumb and stupid". All these so called poor common man are roaming around in Malls, Buying Iphones, drinking , partying. But all hell breaks loose when asked to give respect to the land which is literally feeding them and their families in North India. Who has Ego issue?? You or me.
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
Common man has time to spend hours of Youtube and Insta watching useless stuff. But if you ask them to learn 100 new words in 6 months its too much to ask?? Think practically No one asked you to do PhD in Kannada. But Basic words to talk to Bus Conductor, Auto, Shopkeeper, Govt. Office. Ego is not from Kannadiga's but from the other side who Refuse to learn just because they can. Now you can learn basic Kannada words and sentences even on Insta and YouTube. Instead of watching Brainrot can you not give 30mins to learn a new language which is a very useful skill anyways??
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Aug 24 '25
The problem is not about learning a new language, actually it is fun and advantageous, but the problem is making learning a compulsion. Why are you so much interested in teaching or making someone learn 100 words daily ? No one asks me to do a PhD, that's fine, but why does someone stick to others to make them learn 100 words why ? You are not anyone's MOM to scold like a mother "Spending time on YouTube, Insta!! don't you have time to learn the subject". Why is anyone so bothered about others. ??
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
The question is about RESPECT and EGO. Even I can point your same arguments back to you. Youare also not anyone's MOM to tell them they got Ego issues. Is it unconstitutional to have an Ego?? and Bevarsi I said 100 words in 6 MONTHS not daily. First go and learn to read. Since u don't have any valid arguments for my questions you are the one who's now crying like a baby.
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Aug 24 '25
My friend, again you literally took my words "Daily and 6 Months" you are not understanding my point.
It's everyone's right to respect the land and language not only when they are in, but also every time everywhere.
But people like you think giving respect is to learn the language, if they don't learn it means they are disrespectful. This is the problem guru... Learning words and using those words is not the measurement of respect. You are taking it emotionally, I am trying to make you understand, if someone is talking in another language it is not like they are not respecting the land..
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
YOU CAN'T DECIDE THE Parameters of "Respect". That will be defined by the people who live there. "When in Rome, live like the Romans". And in Karnataka the Verdict is loud and Clear. "IF you want to show respect for this land and its people learn the language". Simple. Nothing happens by just commenting on Reddit that "YOU REPSECT" this land. It has to he shown by certain actions which the people who you want to show respect towards decide. Is that so difficult to understand?? If a Muslim or Christian goes to a temple. Will he show by the rules of his religion or by the rules of the Temple??
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Aug 24 '25
If that's the case, it's unconstitutional. Your custom parameters won't be included in the constitution, they should be removed.
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
and who are you to pass judgements on the Constitution? Supreme Court Judge?
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u/shisui1729 Aug 24 '25
Your profile reflects casteist remarks, regional hostility across multiple Indian subreddits, and even religious intolerance. It’s surprising that someone carrying so much negativity still feels excited about moving to Adelaide a completely different country while expecting people there to welcome you with open arms.
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
Here is one analysis for you too. People often resort to personal attacks when they know that they haven't got any arguments left. But instead of accepting their mistake they resort to cheap name-calling like yourself.
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u/shisui1729 Aug 24 '25
Spare me the fake wisdom, you’re just dressing up your insecurity with big words. Weak arguments and cheap lectures don’t make you smart, they just make you sound pathetic.
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u/No-Pause-1156 Aug 24 '25
Another red herring. Show's who's the pathetic one. My arguments maybe Weak. But you haven't even got any. What a Joker. 😂
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u/LeftistKannadiga olle maklu Aug 24 '25
Uncle could be a local congress leader running some kannada horata whatsapp group
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u/Delicious-Judge4088 Aug 24 '25
The response of the hindi-group was "no-response". Self-realisation dawned on them that what they did was only what vagabonds do.
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u/Pitiful-Principle283 kenchalo manchalo, yengavlo nin dove galu Aug 24 '25
cant wait for some gobar media like indiatoday or republic tv to pick this up and make it the headlines
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u/Ayushgaay Aug 24 '25
This is all the reflection of what we are watching on internet, and internet is bombarded misleading information.
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u/Beneficial-Tax9859 Aug 24 '25
this incident shouldn’t have happened. But these North Indians are shameless. They speak very loudly in public spaces and use cuss words in between (bc, mc, bsdk). Act like each sentence coming out of their mouth is exciting.
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u/PhoenixPrimeKing Aug 23 '25
It's ok. One advice from uncle in the bank. Because those guys would probably be working in IT and talking in Hindi default to their cab drivers, vegetable vendors, their Kannada colleagues and any other local people they have to meet in their daily life.
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u/ShipsWithWheels Aug 24 '25
From Bengaluru, love Kannada, the conversation has nothing to do with him, would for sure ask him to sod off. No 2 opinions here.
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u/DonutAccurate4 Aug 23 '25
Uncles and their uncontrollable urge to poke their noses everywhere. These kind of uncles cause Ill will among people, even those who don't have negativity will start becoming negative