A video from an HDFC Bank branch in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage over the conduct of a bank employee during a customer interaction. The incident reportedly took place at the Panki branch and shows a woman staff member, identified in several media reports as Aastha Singh, involved in a loud and aggressive argument with a male customer. The short clip, lasting around 43 seconds, has been widely shared on platforms such as X. In the footage, the employee is seen abruptly standing up from her desk, shouting at the customer, and forcefully pointing a laptop toward him, drawing the attention of other people present in the branch.
The situation escalated further due to the use of abusive language and an alleged caste-referenced remark made during the argument. The employee is purportedly heard saying, “Thakur hoon main,” a statement that many viewers interpreted as invoking caste identity to assert authority or intimidate the customer. This remark has become the focal point of criticism, with users calling it inappropriate and unacceptable in a professional setting. What should have remained a routine banking discussion reportedly turned into a public confrontation, raising questions about workplace behaviour and customer service standards in a leading private bank.
Social media reaction to the video has been swift and intense, with numerous users condemning the employee’s conduct as unprofessional and damaging to the bank’s reputation. Several posts have directly tagged HDFC Bank, urging the management to take strict disciplinary action and conduct a thorough internal inquiry. Many users stressed that customer-facing employees are expected to maintain restraint and respect, regardless of disagreements. As of now, HDFC Bank has not released any official statement addressing the controversy. Additionally, no police complaint has been registered in connection with the incident so far, even as the video continues to circulate widely online.