'Bengaluru is closed for...': Row sparks debate after social media post on language policy

A recent post on social media reignited the ongoing debate over the Kannada language in Bengaluru, a city with a diverse, multicultural population. The post, which garnered significant attention, read, "Bengaluru is closed for north India and neighbouring states who don't want to learn Kannada." The user suggested that those unwilling to learn the local language and respect the culture should avoid the city.

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Bengaluru is closed for north India and neighbouring states who doesn't want to learn Kannada

They don't need Bengaluru when they can't respect language and culture #Kannada#Bengaluru#Karnatakapic.twitter.com/YNmgQwJToH

— ಬಬ್ರುವಾಹನ (@Paarmatma)

Bengaluru is closed for north India and neighbouring states who doesn't want to learn Kannada

They don't need Bengaluru when they can't respect language and culture #Kannada#Bengaluru#Karnatakapic.twitter.com/YNmgQwJToH

— ಬಬ್ರುವಾಹನ (@Paarmatma) January 23, 2025

">January 23, 2025

The post quickly went viral, amassing over 50,000 views and more than 200 comments. It sparked a heated discussion among netizens. Supporters of the post argued that learning Kannada is a way of respecting the local culture, especially for those who live in the state. They believe that embracing the language fosters better integration into the community.

However, critics of the post disagreed, saying that the choice to learn another language should not be imposed. Many emphasized that language acquisition should be voluntary, and forcing people to learn Kannada in a cosmopolitan city like Bengaluru is unfair.

The post highlighted the clash between the demand for language preservation and the city's multicultural identity, with social media serving as the battleground for these contrasting views.