Zomato Executive Draws Backlash Over Hindi Language Remarks In Bengaluru

A senior executive at food delivery platform Zomato triggered controversy in Bengaluru after telling employees they would need to learn Hindi if they wanted to continue working at the company. The manager, identified as Ashok and originally from Andhra Pradesh, made the remarks during a team meeting, stating he was unable to communicate in Kannada and expected workers to adapt to Hindi instead.

According to accounts of the interaction, the executive told staff members: "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." The comments sparked immediate backlash among employees and on social media, with critics highlighting the importance of respecting local languages in India's multilingual workplace environment.

Zomato subsequently acknowledged the incident and issued a formal apology, notably delivering the statement in Kannada to address the concerned workforce. The company acknowledged that the remarks did not reflect its organizational values and commitment to creating an inclusive workplace that respects linguistic diversity.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions in India's corporate sector regarding language policies and regional sensitivities. Many multinational and national companies operating across multiple states have faced similar challenges in balancing internal communication needs with respect for local languages and cultural preferences.