Kochi Bank Staff Defy Beef Ban with Protest Feast

Employees at a Canara Bank branch in Kochi, Kerala, staged a bold protest on Thursday by serving beef and parotta outside their office, challenging an alleged ban on beef in the staff canteen imposed by the newly appointed regional manager, Ashwini Kumar, a Bihar native. The demonstration, led by the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), initially aimed to address claims of mental harassment and insulting behavior by Kumar but shifted focus when news of the beef ban surfaced, igniting a broader debate over personal and cultural freedoms.

The protest, held in front of the bank’s Ernakulam regional office, saw employees and union members eating beef and parotta, a beloved Kerala staple, to assert their right to food choice, which they argue is protected under the Indian Constitution. “A small canteen operates here, and beef is served on select days. The manager instructed the staff to stop serving it, which is an attack on our freedom,” said BEFI leader S.S. Anil, emphasizing that no one is forced to consume beef but banning it infringes on personal rights.

Kerala’s political leaders rallied behind the protesters, with Left-backed independent MLA KT Jaleel condemning the ban as an attempt to impose “Sangh Parivar agendas” in the state. In a fiery Facebook post, Jaleel wrote, “What to wear, what to eat, and what to think should not be decided by superiors. This soil is red. Wherever the red flag flies, you can act against fascists without fear. The comrades will not allow the saffron flag to undermine people’s well-being.” He described Kerala as a bastion of resistance against cultural impositions, invoking its communist ethos.

Also Read: Kalyan Meat Ban on Independence Day Sparks Protests, Security Tightened

Beef holds deep cultural and economic significance in Kerala, where it includes both cow and buffalo meat and is consumed across communities, including by some Hindus, without religious stigma. Sales data indicates beef is the state’s most preferred meat, with over 500,000 tonnes consumed annually. The state has a history of resisting beef bans, notably in 2017 when the central government’s cattle slaughter restrictions sparked widespread “beef festivals” across Kerala, reflecting the state’s culinary identity shaped by centuries of trade and migration.

The protest also highlighted allegations of Kumar’s “revengeful” behavior, with employees claiming he routinely insulted staff in front of customers using “filthy language.” An unnamed bank officer told The News Minute, “Since he took charge, he’s humiliated employees and introduced strange rules like the beef ban.” The demonstration disrupted bank operations, drawing criticism from some quarters for politicizing a workplace issue. A post on X by @BrethrenIndia captured the sentiment: “Bihari Canara Bank Manager: ‘No beef in Kochi office.’ Kerala staff: ‘Noted. Let’s host a Beef Festival instead.

Canara Bank’s central leadership has not yet responded, and Kumar has not issued a public statement. The controversy has reignited debates over food politics in India, with Kerala’s “red soil” standing firm against perceived cultural overreach. As the issue gains traction, it underscores the state’s fierce defense of individual freedoms and its rejection of external dietary mandates.

Also Read: ‘Human GPS’ Terrorist Bagu Khan Killed in J&K Encounter