“Thakur hoon main”: HDFC Bank staff’s viral outburst sparks caste row

A video purportedly filmed inside an HDFC Bank branch in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur has gone viral on social media, triggering controversy over alleged unprofessional conduct and the use of caste-referenced language by a bank employee.

The incident reportedly took place at the bank’s Panki branch. In the 43-second clip circulating on platforms such as X, a female staff member, identified in multiple reports as Aastha Singh, is seen engaging in a heated exchange with a male customer. During the confrontation, she is seen standing up from her seat, shouting, and gesturing aggressively, including pointing a laptop in the customer’s direction.

The video has drawn particular criticism over an alleged remark made during the argument — “Thakur hoon main” (“I am a Thakur”) — which many social media users have interpreted as invoking caste identity in an attempt to intimidate. The exchange also reportedly involved the use of abusive language, further escalating tensions inside the branch.

What appears to have been a routine banking interaction quickly turned into a public altercation, prompting widespread reactions online. Several users have condemned the behaviour as unprofessional and inconsistent with the standards expected of employees in customer-facing roles at a major private bank.

Numerous posts have tagged HDFC Bank, urging the institution to look into the incident and take appropriate action. As of now, the bank has not issued an official public statement regarding the video.

No police complaint has been registered in connection with the incident so far.