As-salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh Yes, I agree. When people talk badly about the Imams (rah), it is quite frustrating. However, I think next time you could explain this issue in a calm manner and point them out to Hanafi resources on this particular issue and the validity of the Madhab. I think that is the best course of action. I think the response could be a lot better if you pointed them out to some scholarly material than simply saying that is how it is done in India or don't teach me.