After Being Refused Parking for Speaking Hindi, Google Techie Says English Should Be India’s Mandatory Language
A Bengaluru-based Google software engineer, Arpit Bhayani, has ignited a nationwide conversation after claiming he was denied parking for speaking Hindi. The incident, which he shared on X, highlights the complexities of language identity in India and has reignited debates around linguistic inclusivity and the role of English in bridging regional divides.
Bhayani recounted that he had politely asked someone to move their vehicle using Hindi, only to be met with hostility. The person insisted the request be made in Kannada, the regional language. Although Bhayani switched to English, the interaction had already soured. Choosing not to escalate, he parked a few meters away and moved on.
Reflecting on the experience, Bhayani questioned the practical implications of India’s linguistic pride. “Are we truly preserving regional languages when our children study in English-medium schools, and when all our apps, menus, and instruction manuals are in English?” he asked. He suggested that, given English’s ubiquitous presence, it should be made a mandatory common language—not to replace regional languages, but to serve as a neutral, functional medium of communication
“I’m not asking everyone to converse in English, but at least know it enough to avoid unnecessary friction in everyday interactions,” he wrote.
His post attracted both support and criticism. While some argued he should have immediately spoken in English, others accused him of undermining local languages. Bhayani clarified that he didn’t demand anyone speak Hindi but used it instinctively, and when faced with refusal, chose to quietly walk away.
Supporters called the incident “insane” and “next-level intolerance,” while others emphasized the need for a unifying language in a globalizing India. “We need to focus on infrastructure, jobs, and real issues. Language shouldn’t be one of them,” one commenter noted.
The incident also comes in the wake of another language-related controversy involving a State Bank of India employee allegedly refusing to speak Kannada with a local customer, leading to public outrage and administrative action.
At the heart of Bhayani’s message is a call for empathy and coexistence. His experience, while minor on the surface, underscores deeper tensions within India’s multilingual society. While his call to elevate English as a unifying language is rooted in pragmatism, he stresses it’s not about sidelining native languages, but rather about finding common ground in a diverse nation.
