Kerala Bank Employees Hold Beef Feast Outside Branch After New Manager Bans It In Office Canteen

The employees of the Canara Bank's Kochi branch in Kerala held a beef party outside the bank premises as a protest against the bank manager's order to ban beef inside the office canteen.

The protesting employees claimed that the new bank manager, who is a native of Bihar and recently joined the office, ordered a beef ban.

According to a report by India Today, the protest was led by the Bank Employees Federation of India (BFFI) and was initially planned against the manager's alleged insulting behaviour and harassment of employees.

It was after the employees learned about the beef ban that they redirected their protests. In protest, they organised a beef party, featuring beef and parotta, a traditional combination in the state.

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The report quoted the BFFI leader, saying, "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 guidelines of 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".

The protest drew political attention as the local independent MLA KT Jamil, supported by the ruling Left, condemned the attack and called it an attempt to control cultural freedoms.

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Taking to Facebook, Jalil said, "What to wear, what to eat, and what to think should not be decided by superiors. This soil is red. The heart of this land is red. Wherever the red flag flies, you can speak out and act against fascists without fear. No one will harm you. When communists are united, the comrades will not allow anyone to raise the saffron flag and undermine the well-being of the people. That is the world. That is the history of the world!"