Won’t speak Hindi, says auto driver; goes viral

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a video that went viral on Saturday, a Bengaluru-based autorickshaw driver was seen defying a passenger and telling her he would not speak Hindi, a gesture that was appreciated by many in Karnataka. Apparently, the argument began when the woman passenger, presumably from North India, asked the autorickshaw driver to speak in Hindi, to which he took offence.

The driver pointed out that since she was in Bengaluru, she should be the one to make an effort and learn Kannada. The video looks to have been recorded by the passenger or her companion. “This is our land. Not your land. You have to speak in Kannada. Why should I speak in Hindi?” the autorickshaw can be heard telling the passenger in a raised tone, to which she said she could not speak Kannada.

However, not everyone was impressed by the driver, believing it to be an avoidable argument. They pointed out that both parties were comfortable conversing with each other in English and that should have been the end of the matter.