The ongoing language debate in Karnataka has taken a new turn with the emergence of a viral video showcasing an altercation between a driver and a toll booth employee over the use of Hindi. The incident, allegedly at a toll booth on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, has further intensified the controversy surrounding the dominance of Kannada in the state.
The video, now widely circulated on social media, captures a heated exchange between the two individuals. The driver is seen berating the employee for speaking in Hindi, demanding he communicate in Kannada. In response, the employee, who also claims to speak Kannada, defends his right to speak Hindi, emphasizing that it is a widely spoken language across India. The employee even pulls out his phone to record the conversation, seemingly aiming to document the incident and defend his standpoint.
The video has sparked a wave of reactions online, with netizens expressing varying opinions on the matter. Some users argue that it is essential for those residing in the state to learn and speak the local language, Kannada, while others maintain that forcing the employee to speak Kannada is unreasonable. Some users even went as far as suggesting that the toll booth employee should file a police report against the driver for coercion.
This incident comes amidst a broader debate surrounding the dominance of Kannada in Karnataka. Recently, a viral post urging people to speak Kannada or face being treated as outsiders in Bengaluru further fueled the controversy. While the video has brought the issue to the forefront once again, it also highlights the complexities surrounding language and identity in a diverse and multicultural state like Karnataka. The incident has reignited the debate on language rights and the role of local languages in a state with a history of migration and cultural integration.
