Bengaluru: Auto with sticker urging migrants to learn Kannada attracts controversy

Bengaluru autos are renowned for their creativity that go on their back but one such sticker seems to have drawn mixed reactions across the internet. An auto has been spotted with the quote, “U are in Karnataka, learn Kannada, Don’t show your attitude U fu**er, U come to beg here..” The location of the photograph and the identity of the auto driver are unclear leading some to speculate that the sticker may be fabricated.  

This image has been circulating on social media and has been a recipient of mixed reactions. Some characterised the sticker as xenophobic. Others pointed out that it is unbecoming of a city with the tag of a “silicon city”. But others defended the sticker saying that in North India, no one expects local people to speak in Kannada, Tamil etc unlike North Indians expecting Hindi everywhere. 

Folks taking a dump on Bengaluru thanks to this picture are either idiots or haven’t spent time in Bengaluru. Of course there are language chauvinists and the one-off spat (duh), but Bengaluru is many leagues more cosmopolitan, friendly & welcoming to than other metro cities. pic.twitter.com/M76sdXMUx4

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) July 25, 2023

However there were those with a measured neutral outlook towards the matter. Shiv Aroor, anchor for India Today commented that those bad mouthing Bengaluru based on this photo haven’t spent time in Bengaluru. Of course there are language chauvinists but Bengaluru is many leagues more cosmopolitan, friendly, welcoming to outsiders than other metro cities. This was retweeted by Prajwal of The News Minute.