Kochi: Employees at a Canara Bank branch in Kerala's Kochi served beef as a protest against an alleged beef ban in the bank's office and canteen by a new regional manager, according to a report.

The protesting employees said that the manager, who is a native of Bihar and has recently taken charge in the state, had ordered a beef ban in the Canara Bank canteens, said media reports.

Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) had earlier planned a protest against the manager's alleged insulting behaviour and mental harassment of employees; however, once the beef ban came to light, the group took up the matter for protest.

The employees decided to celebrate a 'beef festival" after the ban. They ate beef and parotta, a type of flatbread, outside the office, the report maintained.

'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," Federation leader SS Anil remarked.