A tense confrontation inside an HDFC Bank branch in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has triggered widespread backlash after a bank employee was caught on video invoking her caste during an argument with a customer. In the short viral clip circulating on X, the employee — reportedly identified as Aastha Singh — can be heard saying, “I am a Thakur, don’t mess with me,” while visibly agitated colleagues attempt to calm the situation. The customer repeatedly objects to her language, calling it inappropriate and disrespectful, but the employee continues defending herself in a raised voice, escalating the confrontation rather than defusing it.

The video quickly ignited public anger, with many viewers calling the remarks casteist, unprofessional, and unacceptable in a customer-facing role at a major financial institution. Several users openly demanded strict disciplinary action, warning that they would close their accounts if the bank failed to respond firmly. The incident has reopened a broader debate about caste privilege, workplace conduct, and accountability in India’s corporate sector, with critics arguing that such behavior reflects deeper social biases that institutions often ignore until they go viral.

However, a section of users pushed back against the online outrage, pointing out that the clip is only 12 seconds long and does not show what led to the argument in the first place. They cautioned against forming conclusions without full context, suggesting the customer’s actions may have contributed to the escalation. Despite the controversy snowballing across social media, HDFC Bank has so far remained silent, issuing no official statement or clarification — a silence that is only intensifying public pressure and damaging the brand’s image by the hour.