Bengaluru: In response to ongoing language tensions in Bengaluru, a local tech entrepreneur has decided to shut down the company’s office within six months and move operations to Pune.
Kaushik Mukherjee, the founder, cited what he called “language nonsense” as the primary reason behind the relocation, emphasizing his desire to shield non-Kannada-speaking employees from becoming “victims” of the current linguistic environment in the city. Mukherjee revealed that the idea initially came from concerned staff members, whom he chose to support.
The announcement has sparked heated debates on social media. Some users cautioned that Pune might also present similar language-related challenges, referencing the risk of non-Marathi speakers facing issues from local groups such as the MNS.
Others suggested alternate cities like Gandhinagar or Noida, where linguistic sensitivities are reportedly less intense.
Many Kannada speakers responded with sarcasm, applauding the founder’s decision and expressing relief, saying, “Good riddance. Thank you for helping decongest our beloved city.” Others advised the founder to encourage his non-Marathi staff to learn Marathi after the move.
The decision follows a fresh wave of controversy after a recent incident where a State Bank of India (SBI) manager in Bengaluru allegedly refused to speak Kannada to a customer, igniting public outrage over respect for the state language and culture.
