Kanpur – short video from inside an HDFC Bank branch in Panki, Kanpur has taken the internet by storm. In the clip, a female employee is seen shouting at a male customer, using abusive language, picking up a laptop in a threatening way, and saying words that many people found casteist.
The employee has been identified as Aastha Singh. HDFC Bank has already suspended her. The bank says it has zero tolerance for such behaviour and has started an internal inquiry.
The video is only about 40 seconds long, but it has been watched lakhs of times and shared widely on X, Instagram and Facebook. People are angry, shocked and divided.
What Exactly Happened in the Video
The argument started over some normal banking work. Sources say it was a small service issue, like a problem with a chequebook or account-related delay. The customer was unhappy, and things got heated.
In the video you can see Aastha Singh standing up from her seat. She is visibly angry. She starts shouting abuses at the customer. At one point she picks up the laptop from her desk and points it towards him as if she is going to hit him or throw it.
Then comes the line that everyone is talking about: “Thakur hoon main… bakchodi mat karna mere se… yahi pe thok denge.”
Many people understood this as her trying to scare the customer by bringing up her caste (Thakur is a forward caste in Uttar Pradesh).
Other staff and customers can be seen trying to calm her down. A woman in a beige coat is holding her back. A man in a suit is also standing nearby looking worried.
The customer is mostly seen from behind or side, pointing fingers and arguing back, but the video mainly focuses on Aastha Singh’s outburst.
HDFC Bank’s Reaction – Suspension and Statement
Within hours of the video going viral, HDFC Bank acted fast.
According to LatestLY, the bank issued a statement saying: “We have taken immediate note of the incident at our Panki branch. The employee has been placed under suspension effective immediately. HDFC Bank expects all staff to maintain the highest standards of courtesy and professionalism. A detailed investigation is underway.”
The bank has made it clear that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable. They have promised sensitivity training for staff in the region.
As of now, the branch is working normally, but the incident has left many customers worried about how they will be treated if they complain.
Public Reaction – Anger, Memes and Some Defence
Social media exploded.
Most people are very angry. They wrote things like:
- “Bank mein customer ko thakur ka dhamki? Fire her immediately!”
- “This is casteism in broad daylight. Action must be taken.”
- “HDFC should blacklist her from banking jobs.”
Many tagged HDFC Bank, RBI and even big leaders demanding strict action.
But there is also another side.
Some users said the full video is not shown. They claim the customer was also rude, used bad words first and provoked her. One comment read: “Sirf uski line dikha di. Pehle customer ne kitna gaali diya, woh nahi dikhaya.”
A few people even supported her, saying a woman has the right to defend herself when a man shouts at her.
But the majority view is clear – a bank employee cannot talk like this, and bringing caste into a professional argument is wrong.
What Experts and Common People Are Saying
Many lawyers and social activists say the remark can be seen as criminal intimidation under IPC Section 503/506. But no police complaint has been filed yet by the customer.
Women’s groups say this shows how even educated people still use caste to feel powerful.
Banking experts point out that private banks like HDFC are known for good service. One small incident can damage the whole image.
A senior bank manager (who did not want his name out) told reporters: “Customer is king in banking. If staff start shouting and threatening, people will stop trusting banks. This should be a lesson for all private banks.”
Background of the Branch and the Employee
The branch is in Panki area of Kanpur – a busy industrial part of the city. Thousands of people visit every day for normal work like passbook updates, loans, chequebooks, etc.
Aastha Singh’s personal details are not public. She is a regular branch staff member, probably handling customer service desk.
No one from her family or friends has spoken yet.
Similar Incidents in the Past
This is not the first time a bank employee has been caught on camera misbehaving. In the last few years there have been cases in SBI, PNB and other banks where staff shouted at customers or refused service. But this one stands out because of the caste angle and the laptop threat.
What Should Happen Next?
Most people want two things:
- Aastha Singh should not get her job back.
- HDFC Bank should apologise publicly and improve staff training.
The bank has already suspended her, which is a strong first step.
If the customer files a police case, the matter can go to court.
FAQs
Q1. Where did the incident happen?
A: Inside HDFC Bank’s Panki branch in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh on or before February 9, 2026.
Q2. Who is the employee?
A: Aastha Singh, a woman staff member at the branch.
Q3. What did she say exactly?
A: “Thakur hoon main, bakchodi mat karna mere se… yahi pe thok denge.” She also abused and threatened with a laptop.
Q4. Has she been suspended?
A: Yes. HDFC Bank suspended her the same day the video went viral.
Q5. Why did the argument start?
A: It began over a routine banking issue (service-related disagreement, possibly chequebook or account problem).
Q6. What has HDFC Bank said?
A: They condemned the behaviour, suspended the employee, and said a full inquiry is going on.
Q7. Is there any police case?
A: Not yet. The customer has not filed any complaint so far.
Q8. Is the full video available?
A: The viral clip is about 40 seconds. Some people say longer footage exists but it is not public yet.