Employees of a Canara Bank branch in Kochi, Kerala, staged a rare protest on Thursday after the regional manager allegedly banned beef in the office canteen. In response, staff served beef and parotta, a much-loved food combination in the state, outside the branch.

Reports say the dispute began after Deputy Regional Manager Ashwini Kumar, recently transferred from Bihar, took charge of the branch. According to staff, Kumar has already triggered controversies, including harassment of employees. The protest, planned by the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), was initially against harassment but later focused on the beef ban.

A BEFI leader said the protest was also about protecting the right to eat what one chooses. “Food is a personal choice that is protected to the Constitution,” the leader told reporters.

Political leaders in Kerala expressed support for the protest. Independent MLA KT Jaleel, backed by the ruling Left, strongly condemned attempts to impose food restrictions.
 “It is not up to ‘superior’ officers to decide what to wear… eat… or think. No scandal of Sanghis will happen in Kerala,” he said.

In a Facebook post, Jaleel added: “The soil here is red. Let us talk and act against fascists without fear of flying the red flag… comrades will not allow anyone to raise the saffron flag and disturb the people.”

Kerala has often resisted beef bans. In 2017, a nationwide order against cattle slaughter sparked widespread protests across the state, with beef festivals organized in defiance. Beef in Kerala includes both cow and buffalo meat, and is eaten by people across religions. In fact, sales data show beef is among the most popular meats in the state.