A video featuring a woman claiming that “Bengaluru is Bengaluru because of North Indians” has gone viral on social media, igniting discussions about regional contributions and perceptions in India’s Silicon Valley.
The clip, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user identified as Woke Eminent, has garnered over 692,500 views and nearly 4,500 likes.
In the video, the woman, originally from North India, responded to a question about the cultural shocks she experienced after moving to Bengaluru. She alleged that North Indians often face discrimination in the city and are addressed as “these Hindi people.”
Claims of discrimination
“I don’t know about cultural shock here. But people here do hate North Indians. That’s what I have observed,” she said. “Autowalas charge us higher prices, and people call us ‘these Hindi people.’ We’ve been addressed as Hindi people many times.”
Despite these experiences, the woman expressed her admiration for Bengaluru, saying, “I love this city, absolutely, and would want to visit again. But the fact that when they see outsiders, they behave differently with you, especially when Bengaluru is what it is because of North Indians coming here to a large extent and still, people have a hard time accepting it.”
Online reactions
The video sparked mixed reactions online. Some users supported the woman’s perspective, emphasising the significant contribution of North Indians to Bengaluru’s IT industry. Others argued that the city’s success stems from the opportunities it provides, regardless of regional origins.
One user commented, “Most of the engineers in the firms located in Bengaluru are from northern states.” Meanwhile, others countered by saying, “Bengaluru provided the platform and infrastructure for these opportunities. Respect the city’s identity.”