Overview

• An X user’s post declared Kannada and Tamil not worth learning and urged English as the preferred language for newcomers in Bengaluru and Chennai
• A follow-up message recommended that companies curb investments in those cities to sidestep what it called language-based harassment of migrants
• Residents and scholars condemned the remarks as elitist, highlighting the classical status and cultural richness of Kannada and Tamil
• Tech professionals in Bengaluru argued that embracing local languages promotes inclusivity and strengthens the city’s diverse workforce
• The incident has reignited tensions between English, Hindi and regional tongues in India’s urban centres and fuelled concern about its economic repercussions