Kochi: Employees of Canara Bank in Kochi staged an unusual protest on Friday by serving beef and parotta outside their office, opposing what they alleged was a beef ban imposed by the regional manager.
According to members of the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), the regional manager, a native of Bihar who recently assumed charge in Kerala, had instructed the canteen staff to stop serving beef. The protest, initially planned against alleged mental harassment and insulting behaviour by the manager, turned into a demonstration of food choice rights.
"A small canteen operates here, and beef is served on select days. The manager informed the canteen staff that beef should no longer be served. This bank functions according to the Constitution. Food is a personal choice. In India, every individual has the right to choose their food. We are not forcing anyone to eat beef. This is simply our form of protest," said BEFI leader S.S. Anil.
The protest drew political support as well. Left-backed independent MLA K.T. Jaleel endorsed the demonstration, declaring that "no Sangh Parivar agendas would be allowed in Kerala." Writing on Facebook, he said that questions of what to eat, wear, or think should not be dictated by superiors and hailed Kerala's history of resistance to communal agendas.
Kerala has witnessed several such beef protests in the past, particularly in 2017, when the central government issued restrictions on cattle sales for slaughter.
Authorities have not issued an official response regarding the employees' allegations or the protest.