Employees of Canara Bank in Ernakulam staged a unique protest on Friday by organising a “beef fest” after a newly appointed manager allegedly banned the canteen from serving beef.
The protest was led by the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI). Members said they were initially preparing to demonstrate against the manager’s alleged insulting behaviour and mental harassment. However, after the food ban, they decided to extend the protest by serving beef and parotta outside the office.
“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,” said federation leader SS Anil.
Independent MLA KT Jaleel praised the protestors, writing in a Facebook post: “It is not up to the superior officers to decide what to wear, what to eat, what to think.”
Kerala has a history of responding to beef bans with such symbolic “beef festivals.” In 2017, when the Centre restricted the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets, similar protests broke out across the state.
