'Misrepresented' | HDFC Bank employee Astha Singh clarifies her 'Thakur hoon main' viral video remarks

Astha Singh clarified that the incident was personal and not related to any customer dispute.

Following a huge uproar in social media regarding a viral video of her having a heated exchange with a man, HDFC employee Astha Singh issued a clarification.

Astha said that the incident, which occurred at the bank's Panki Branch in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur has been “misrepresented” and is not connected to any customer dispute, claiming that the altercation was personal and the man in the video is her colleague’s husband.

“This incident has been misrepresented and is not related to any customer. The matter involves my colleague’s husband, who misbehaved with me, and the video was my response to that behaviour. I mentioned my caste only, because I was asked to. I'm a Thakur and proud of it. Unfortunately, the matter is being given a different colour. The colleague I was referring to is a Brahmin. I'll certainly take legal action, as this has damaged my image on social media," said Astha.

In the video, Astha was purportedly seen bursting out at a customer, allegedly using abusive words and casteist remarks. Her statement, “Thakur hu main (I am a Thakur),” led to widespread criticism online as viewers saw it as a bid to use caste identity for intimidation.

Astha is heard saying, “To hell with you. Thakur hoon main. Do not mess with me,” while the other employees tried to calm her down.

Explaining the whole incident, Astha stated she had an argument with another female employee of the same branch, who had resigned and wanted to be relieved on the same day. She added that the video is not related to any customer dispute and is not only tarnishing her image, but is also being used to create a controversy over caste identity.

The colleague’s sister-in-law had been sitting in the branch since morning, Astha said, explaining that she had a minor argument with her. “Later, the sister-in-law informed her brother (the colleague’s husband) about the argument,” she said. The man showed up at the branch after working hours around 4:30 pm and allegedly misbehaved with Singh. “He directly asked me ‘kaunsi jaati ke ho’ (which caste do you belong to) and said I have a lot of arrogance,” Singh explained. She burst out at him after he allegedly misbehaved with her. She also said that the man had misbehaved with everyone over his wife’s same day relief, adding that it’s just mine that went viral online.

The employee further explained, “Yes, my words were wrong. I am aware that I am in public service, and I should measure my words carefully. But if someone threatens to teach me a lesson, then I will not tolerate it.” Singh further said that she stands by her statement that “I am a Thakur” and is proud of this fact.

However, Ritu Tripathi, a former HDFC Bank employee, has come forward to challenge the version of events shared Astha.

Ritu alleged that the viral video does not tell the full story and that her family has been targeted. 

"My family was abused. My family was insulted. They threatened to kill my family. I was the victim here," Rity was quoted as saying by ANI news agency.