Mon Feb 17 18:29:27 UTC 2025: ## Bank Managers in Kochi Accused of Caste Discrimination and Assault
**KOCHI, February 18, 2025** – The Ernakulam Central police have filed a case against the assistant manager and chief regional manager of an unnamed bank following allegations of caste discrimination and assault by a bank employee. The employee’s complaint triggered a protest by the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), who staged a demonstration outside the bank’s regional office on Monday.
According to the complaint, the managers used casteist slurs in Hindi and one allegedly assaulted the employee when he refused a request to buy medicine. While one manager, charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, secured bail from the Kerala High Court, the other manager is reportedly from a Scheduled Caste community. Police are investigating, and have collected evidence including CCTV footage.
The bank responded with a statement asserting its commitment to an inclusive workplace and a robust grievance redressal mechanism. However, the bank also hinted at a potential ulterior motive behind the complaint, suggesting a personal agenda benefiting specific individuals or organizations. The investigation is ongoing.
First Piper 