‘Karnataka or Pakistan?’: Bengaluru Woman Criticizes Swiggy Over Non-Kannada-Speaking Delivery Agent
'Karnataka or Pakistan?': Bengaluru Woman Criticizes Swiggy Over Non-Kannada-Speaking Delivery Agent
Social media erupts after a Bengaluru woman’s complaint about a Swiggy delivery agent not knowing Kannada sparks debate on language preferences in Karnataka.
A Bengaluru woman’s recent criticism of Swiggy has ignited a heated discussion on social media regarding language and regional identity. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), she expressed frustration over a Swiggy delivery agent’s inability to speak Kannada or English, prompting a larger conversation about language preferences in Karnataka.
Bengaluru is in Karnataka or Pakistan @Swiggy ?
— Rekha 🌸 (@detached_98) September 12, 2024
Your delivery guy is neither speaking nor understanding #kannada ,not even #English. Do you expect us to learn his state language #Hindi in our land?
Stop imposing things on us and make sure your delivery persons know #Kannada. pic.twitter.com/smzQ6Mp7SV
In her now-viral post, the woman questioned Swiggy’s hiring practices, stating, “Bengaluru is in Karnataka or Pakistan @swiggy? Your delivery guy neither speaks nor understands Kannada, nor even English. Do you expect us to learn his state language Hindi in our land? Stop imposing things on us and ensure your delivery persons know Kannada.” Her remarks have garnered over 2.5 lakh views, sparking a wave of both support and criticism.
The response to the post has been mixed, with many users providing varied perspectives on the issue.
An X User pointed out the potential economic impact of the language debate, stating: “Due to ongoing language tensions in Karnataka, reports suggest that 53 companies from Surat, Lucknow, and Indore have been approached to relocate—14 of which are multinationals. This could significantly affect Bengaluru’s startup culture and global presence. Will the city’s tech hub status remain secure?”
Others emphasised practical concerns, with one user remarking: “As long as the delivery is done on time, who cares about the linguistic skills of the delivery boy!”
Another user challenged the woman’s views, saying: “Is Bengaluru in Karnataka or England? As far as I know, English wasn’t originally a cultural language in Karnataka.”
The post has reignited the insider-outsider debate in Karnataka, with many locals emphasizing the need for job opportunities to favor Kannadigas and prioritizing the local language. However, it also triggered backlash from some users who questioned the woman’s perspective. One user, Shweta Bansal, asked, “Hindi a state language or national official language? Three-language formula? Are you above the constitution?”
The controversy has further fueled conversations about language imposition, job opportunities for locals and linguistic rights in India’s diverse regions.
