The IPL 2025 auction concluded recently, with all 10 franchises actively building their squads to assemble formidable teams for the season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also made notable additions, bringing in a mix of seasoned stars and promising young talent. However, as they gear up for the new season, RCB have landed in controversy by unveiling a Hindi-language social media handle on X (formerly Twitter).
The account, titled “Royal Challengers Bengaluru Hindi” and operating under the username “@RCBinHindi,” was created to engage Hindi-speaking audiences. This move, however, has triggered backlash from Kannada-speaking fans, who accuse the Bengaluru franchise of favoring Hindi over Kannada.
RCB’s announcement features their iconic cricketer Virat Kohli
The franchise announced the new account with a video featuring their star player Virat Kohli speaking in Hindi, accompanied by English subtitles. The video shared Kohli’s thoughts on his bond with RCB and his retention for the upcoming IPL cycle.
“At the end of the cycle, it’s going to be 20 years that I’m going to be playing for RCB. And that in itself is very, very special. … The bond I share with RCB is so special that I don’t see myself anywhere but RCB. So, I am very happy that happened. We have a chance to create a strong team… and bring the IPL trophy at least once in the next three years,” said Kohli in the video shared by RCB Hindi.
अपने प्रिय खिलाड़ी विराट कोहली को सुनिए अपनी प्रिय हिन्दी भाषा में, जहाँ उन्होंने आरसीबी से सालों से जुड़े रहने की खुशी और ऑक्शन पर अपनी बातें साझा की। 🤩
अब आरसीबी के सभी वीडियो आपकी पसंदीदा हिन्दी में भी उपलब्ध है! 🎥@RCBTweets @imVkohli | #PlayBold #Hindi pic.twitter.com/LeGJ6HhQzA
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru Hindi (@RCBinHindi) November 24, 2024
Also READ: Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Squad: Complete players list of RCB after the mega auction
RCB Hindi account ignites heated debate
The announcement aimed to highlight RCB’s commitment to Hindi-speaking fans but instead ignited controversy among Kannada-speaking supporters. The account, launched in October 2024, has posted five tweets so far but has already drawn sharp criticism. Pro-Kannada groups and several fans have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction.
Some activists have started an online petition urging the RCB management to rethink their decision, arguing that the move undermines the local language and culture. The backlash includes demands for the deletion of the account, with the move being labeled as “Hindi imposition.” Pro-Kannada activists and fans have expressed their displeasure over the team’s decision to prioritize Hindi content.
Here is how fans reacted:
As a proud Kannadiga and Bengaluru-based RCB fan, it’s disheartening to see our franchise using Hindi in their social media posts. Bengaluru represents Kannada culture and language, and RCB should respect this by prioritizing Kan-Eng in their communication.#stopHindiImposition https://t.co/GOLzJj9Act
— Naveen | ನವೀನ್ (@naveen_gowda3) November 26, 2024
It’s high time Kannadigas should stop supporting @RCBTweets
These people started separate Hindi page @RCBinHindi for Hindi people
Do we get Kannada page for Delhi Capitals? No
ಹಿಂದಿ ಹೇರಿಕೆ ಸಹಿಸಲಾಗದು. ಇನ್ನೆಂದೂ RCB ತಂಡಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಂಬಲ ಇಲ್ಲ#StopHindiImposition #NoSupportToRCB https://t.co/BDRp8J17Fu
— ಚಂದನವನ | Chandanavana (@Chandana_vana) November 27, 2024
Pl remove Bengaluru and base your franchise in a Hindi speaking state /city!
Bengaluru will always be a Kannada city! #stopHindiImposition @RCBTweets @RCBinHindi https://t.co/ksyz0NU6QI— ಲಕ್ಕಿ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಣ್ / Lakki Lakshman (@Lakkilakshman) November 26, 2024
RCB, stop imposing Hindi through our sports teams! Down with the RCB owners and management—get out of Karnataka!
It’s time to reclaim our Kannada capital, Bengaluru. Let’s flood the stadium with our flags!#StopHindiInvasion#ProtectKannadigas https://t.co/kHDu7clvWK pic.twitter.com/ouQt0N64Qb
— ಭರತ್ | Bharath (@bkkk6K) November 26, 2024
You are a Kannada team !
Shame on you for imposing Hindi on Kannadigas.
If you can’t respect the native language of Bengaluru, don’t use Bengaluru in your name !#StopHindiImposition#StopHindiRacism https://t.co/3S5wzHjWhh
— ಚಯ್ತನ್ಯ ಗವ್ಡ (@Ellarakannada) November 26, 2024
#stopHindiImposition https://t.co/CBrgqLAsDa
— ಪ್ರಶಾಂತ | Prashant (@JS_Prashant) November 26, 2024
RCB is just a business body! Kannadigas should stop supporting them! #stopHindiImposition https://t.co/Sizg8htwPo
— Gopal-Paramaathma (@Lifeuishte) November 26, 2024
This hindi imposition should stop 😡 https://t.co/xriyb3Q5AP
— Purnima (@Purnima017) November 26, 2024
As a proud Kannadiga and Bengaluru-based RCB fan, it’s disheartening to see our franchise using Hindi in their social media posts. Bengaluru represents Kannada culture and language, and RCB should respect this by prioritizing Kan-Eng in their communication.#stopHindiImposition https://t.co/qRq9RkjELW
— Nikhil B R (@nikhilbiligere) November 26, 2024
#BoycottRCB https://t.co/SbLFVtjnI3
— Swasthin Patel (@patelswastin) November 26, 2024
first of all its wasn’t really needed another page separately for Kannada, are these management shameful to post Kannada context in official handles ??
we are happy to see kannada content in official handles itself rather than separate page for us https://t.co/YdOJdSuHbe
— R A G N A (@RagnaaRocky) November 27, 2024
I went to a circus but couldn’t find any clown there. Do you know why? Because they are under the comment section of this post. 🤡 https://t.co/v4JaopC4Fz
— Bhaukal Babu (@farzibhaiya) November 27, 2024
@RCBinHindi, do you see other teams like CSK advertise things in hindi? The B in RCB stands for Bengaluru, and last I checked this time is for Kannadigas, so why isn’t your official language kannada. If you want to respect kannada, sell the team or dissolve it. https://t.co/jV1PEQE4Qo
— ಶ್ರೀಕಾಂತ್ (Srikanth) (@Prathasmaraniya) November 26, 2024
Also READ: Netizens react as Bhuvneshwar Kumar goes to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for a whopping price at IPL 2025 mega auction
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