Speak in Hindi, Whether You’re in Noida or Bengaluru: Viral Video of Man Threatening Cab Driver Sparks Outrage
Speak in Hindi, Whether You're in Noida or Bengaluru: Viral Video of Man Threatening Cab Driver Sparks Outrage
The incident comes at a time when tensions around the imposition of Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states — particularly Karnataka — have been running high.
A new video from Bengaluru has reignited the ongoing language debate in India, drawing sharp criticism across social media. Amid ongoing discussions around linguistic identity, the clip shows a man angrily confronting a cab driver and insisting he must speak in Hindi — regardless of the region.
The video, which has now gone viral with over 30 lakh views, shows the man aggressively telling the driver, “Noida mein raho ya Bengaluru mein, tum Hindi mein baat karo” (“Whether you’re in Noida or Bengaluru, speak in Hindi”). His friend is seen attempting to calm the situation, but the man continues to assert his demand.
The driver, responding firmly in Kannada, says, “You have come to Bengaluru, you speak in Kannada. I won’t speak in Hindi.” While the exact reason behind the confrontation remains unclear, the video has been widely shared across social media platforms.
Previously, several videos of confrontations between locals and migrants over language preferences had sparked heated discussions online.
While the exact context behind the altercation remains unclear, the video has drawn widespread backlash, with many accusing the man of linguistic intolerance. Sharing the clip, one user on X, Vinay Reddy, wrote, “Hindi is not our national language,” a sentiment echoed by thousands of others.
ಹಿಂದಿ ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ ಭಾಷೆ ಅಲ್ಲ. pic.twitter.com/sKBlGmbdX0
— ವಿನಯ್. ಎಸ್. ರೆಡ್ಡಿ (@Vinayreddy71) April 18, 2025
The video has triggered an avalanche of reactions and once again spotlighting India’s complex and sensitive linguistic landscape.
“I don’t support pro-Kannada hooliganism, but the Hindi guy in the video should not talk like that. He’s come here from somewhere else and expects locals to speak his language?” wrote one user.
“Most of the Kannadigas in Bengaluru know Hindi. Then why do you hesitate to speak Kannada and make a scene?” another user commented.
