In Kochi, employees of a Canara Bank branch protested after reports that the regional manager restricted beef in the office canteen. To express dissent, members of the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) served beef with parotta outside the office.
The regional manager, recently posted in Kerala, was said to have instructed that beef should not be served in the canteen. Employees called this an interference in their personal choice and organised the protest.
Political Support
Independent MLA KT Jaleel supported the protest. On Facebook, he wrote that people should decide what to eat or wear and not be forced by others. He said Kerala would not allow such restrictions.
Rights and Freedom
BEFI leader SS Anil said food is a personal matter and protected by the Constitution. He explained that the protest was not about forcing anyone to eat beef but about keeping food choice free.
Wider Background
Kerala has seen similar demonstrations before, including in 2017 when people protested central rules on cattle sales. The Canara Bank incident adds to ongoing debates on cultural identity and food freedom in India.