"Bengaluru Would Be Empty?" Influencer's Controversial Claim Sparks Outrage Over City's Diversity

An Instagram influencer, Sugandh Sharma, has sparked outrage with her recent comments suggesting that Bengaluru would be "empty" if all North Indians left the city. The video, filmed in the bustling Koramangala area, quickly went viral, igniting a fierce debate about the city's cultural landscape.

In her Instagram reel, Sharma claimed, "if North Indians leave Bengaluru, even paying guest accommodations (PGs) will be empty." This statement has drawn severe backlash from both netizens and public figures, who criticized her remarks as divisive and disrespectful to the multicultural identity of Bengaluru.

Check Out the Viral Video

Prominent personalities, including actor and rapper Chandan Shetty, actresses Chaithra Achar and Anupama Gowda, as well as Bigg Boss contestants Rupesh Rajanna and Dhanraj, condemned Sharma's statements. Shetty described the video as a "publicity stunt," while Gowda emphasized the importance of fostering harmony in the city’s diverse community.

Users Reaction to the Viral Video:

The reactions from the public have been swift and critical. Achar expressed her frustration, commenting, “If you can actually leave, just as an experiment, and see how Bangalore becomes empty, we are ready to live with that emptiness and dancers less pubs. We can live with it. Really. Forget all other North Indians. You leave ma’am, enough for now!” 

Another user dismissed Sharma's impact, stating, “Everything was here before you came and everything will still be there after you go.. do us a favour and leave soon!!”

This incident follows a pattern of tension between locals and North Indians in Bengaluru. In July, a woman shared her experiences of harassment while commuting in auto-rickshaws, detailing how drivers questioned her presence in the city, while another Reddit user recounted a troubling encounter with a cab driver who reacted aggressively when asked to turn on the AC.