IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru face social media backlash over launch of X hindi account

Royal Challengers Bangalore face social media backlash.

The decision by Bengaluru-based IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to launch a Hindi-language account on X (formerly Twitter) has sparked a heated debate among fans and pro-Kannada activists. The account, @RCBinHindi, was created in October 2024 and, as of November 28, has posted just five tweets while amassing nearly 2,500 followers.

Criticism has poured in from pro-Kannada groups and fans who accuse the RCB management of prioritizing Hindi over Kannada. They see the move as an imposition on Kannada-speaking followers and have voiced their displeasure online. Some have even initiated a petition urging the team to reconsider and shut down the Hindi account.

! @liaml4893 | #PlayBold #IPLAuction #BidForBold #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/eMLW5xWBLH
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Hindi (@RCBinHindi) November 26, 2024

The backlash comes against the backdrop of growing linguistic tensions in Bengaluru, where incidents of discrimination against Hindi speakers have been reported. Viral videos have captured auto and cab drivers insisting passengers speak in Kannada or leave the state.

"I was working in Bangalore for 1.5 years. Married in Punjab, I wore choora for the entire 1 year as it is a part of my tradition. It was clearly evident I was from North India (sic)," she said.

Explaining how she had a very bad experience with locals, the woman said, "What a harassment it was to commute in auto from flat to office and back. The audacity of local auto drivers to strike a conversation on why I was in Bangalore when I belonged to North, if I was learning Kannada, asking if I like anything apart from weather, asking for more money as I was newly married and pretending not to understand a word when I would talk in Hin/Eng (sic)."

A Twitter user named Shaani Nani shared her experiences of facing difficulties in Bengaluru, citing language barriers with auto drivers and customer support at BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited).

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While many fans oppose the Hindi account, a section of the fanbase has defended the move, arguing that RCB has a global and multilingual following. They believe the Hindi page is an effort to include a wider audience and should not be seen as divisive.