Bengaluru
oi-Madhuri Adnal
A video from a Zomato warehouse in Bengaluru has triggered anger online after a supervisor was allegedly heard telling employees to learn Hindi if they wanted to continue working under him.
The supervisor, identified as Ashok from Andhra Pradesh, is seen in the video telling workers that he does not know Kannada and would speak only in Hindi.
A Zomato supervisor in Bengaluru, identified as Ashok, faced protests and a police case after reportedly demanding employees learn Hindi or quit, prompting his subsequent apology.
He allegedly tells the employees that anyone who wants to work with him must learn Hindi, while those who do not want to do so can leave.
“I don’t know Kannada. I’ll speak in Hindi. If you’re going to work here, learn Hindi. If you want to leave, I don’t care,” Ashok is heard saying.
Dear Non Hindi speakers,Just imagine what the situation of non-Hindi speakers would be if the roles were reversed, if Hindi-speaking states were providing millions of jobs to us and our states were largely dependent on tax revenue generated by Hindi states.Just reverse the situation and think about it friend.
— ಅರುಣ್ ಜಾವಗಲ್ | Arun Javgal (@ajavgal) October 4, 2026
At one point, an employee reminds him that the warehouse is in Karnataka. Ashok allegedly responds, “So what, I will only speak Hindi,” and again tells the workers that they must learn Hindi or quit.
The video quickly drew criticism from Kannada groups and social media users, with many questioning the supervisor’s remarks and demanding action.
A petition was submitted to the Madanayakanahalli police seeking action against Ashok.
The controversy then moved outside the warehouse, where pro Kannada activists gathered and demanded strict action against the supervisor. They also called for his removal.
Ashok later issued an apology in Kannada after the backlash. In the video, he is seen with folded hands as he expresses regret over what he said and promises not to repeat the mistake.
ಕರವೇ ನೆಲಮಂಗಲ ತಾಲೂಕು ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಮಂಜೇಗೌಡರವರ ತಂಡದಿಂದ ಬುದ್ದಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ.. @karave_KRV https://t.co/h790PuKmuw
— ಅರುಣ್ ಜಾವಗಲ್ | Arun Javgal (@ajavgal) October 5, 2026
Police have also taken note of the incident. An investigating officer was quoted by The Times of India as saying, “We registered a suo motu case and filed a petition against Ashok for his act. Ashok later apologised for his conduct.”
The incident has once again brought the sensitive issue of language and workplace communication in Karnataka into the spotlight, particularly at a time when language-related disputes continue to spark strong reactions in Bengaluru.
