• Source:JND
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A recent viral video has stirred up controversy after revealing that many people couldn’t name Bengaluru’s official language. The clip, reportedly filmed in Mumbai as part of a vox pop, shows a man asking random individuals what they think the official language of Bengaluru is.

Surprisingly, none of the respondents mentioned Kannada the language spoken by millions in Karnataka. Instead, answers ranged from Hindi and English to Tamil and Malayalam.

Kannadigas React Strongly to the Video

The video has triggered widespread discussions on social media, with many Kannadigas expressing frustration over the lack of recognition for their language. Many believe this reflects a broader issue of Kannada being overshadowed in Bengaluru, a city that has seen an influx of people from different parts of India.

One user voiced their disappointment, saying, “Kannadigas have always embraced other languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi to be inclusive, but in return, Kannada is being pushed aside in its own homeland.”

Another person blamed the misconception on the widespread belief that Hindi is India’s national language. “Many people assume Hindi is the national language, and South Indians are often grouped together under broad stereotypes. While Tamil and Telugu have gained visibility through cinema, Kannada remains overlooked,” they said.

Some people worried that Kannada’s presence in Bengaluru is slowly fading. “The damage is already done. The younger generation has moved away from Kannada. If we don’t act now, we might lose our linguistic identity,” a concerned user wrote.

Another user pointed out that Karnataka often gets less attention compared to other South Indian states. “People in North India know little about Karnataka. Even among South Indians, Kannada doesn’t get the same recognition as Tamil or Telugu,” they said.

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Bengaluru’s ‘Official Language’: What Did People Say?

In the viral video, a man conducting street interviews asks, “What is the official language of Bengaluru?”

A woman responds, “I think Bengaluru doesn’t have an official language.”

Another person confidently answers, “Hindi,” while someone else adds, “Hindi or Sanskrit. I’d bet on both.”

Three more individuals also believe Hindi is the city’s official language. Others guess Tamil or English.

One frustrated person comments, “This is so sad! The younger generation is clueless. All they care about is Instagram, Tinder, and Facebook. No general knowledge at all!”

While many Kannadigas are upset, some argue that this issue isn’t unique to Bengaluru. One person pointed out that if you asked residents of Bengaluru about Mumbai’s official language, many would incorrectly say Hindi instead of Marathi. “Lack of awareness about regional languages is common in India,” they said.

The video has reignited debates over Kannada’s visibility in Bengaluru. Many locals believe stronger efforts are needed to promote and preserve the language in Karnataka’s capital.

 

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