A viral video circulating on social media has ignited strong reactions among Kannadigas, the clip, reportedly filmed in Mumbai as a vox pop, shows individuals struggling to identify Kannada as the official language of Karnataka’s capital. It highlighted a widespread alleged lack of awareness regarding Bengaluru’s official language. The respondents also guessed official language as Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and English, with none correctly naming Kannada.
In the video posted by a social media user Ice Candy, a man asked, "Which is the official language of Bangalore?"
Replying to the question, a woman said, "I think Bangalore does not have an official language".
Another woman said, "I'm putting my bets on both Hindi or Sanskrit"
"Malayalam, Tamil, English," said a few other people.
The video has triggered widespread disappointment among Kannada speakers, who see it as a reflection of the marginalisation of their language. Many social media users voiced frustration over what they perceive as a lack of recognition for Kannada’s historical and cultural significance.
Karnataka Reacts
A user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “This isn’t entirely their fault. Many grow up believing Hindi is the national language, and South India is stereotyped as either ‘Madrasis’ (Tamil) or ‘Mallus’ (Malayalam). Kannada often gets overlooked.”
Others pointed out a broader issue of linguistic ignorance. “If you ask people in Bengaluru about Mumbai’s official language, most might say Hindi instead of Marathi. So, its ok,” another user remarked.
However, some criticised the video for being intentionally provocative. One user argued, “Bro deliberately asking Mumbaikars so that they'll give wrong answers and generate a rage post out of it for reach.”
The video has reignited discussions on the importance of regional language awareness. Kannada, the official language of Karnataka, boasts a rich heritage. Despite Bengaluru’s cosmopolitan nature, concerns persist over the dilution of Kannada’s presence in public spaces.