Kochi: In a shocking incident, the Bank of India Staff Union in Kerala planned to pay tribute to former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, the architect of the Kargil invasion, just days after the 25th anniversary of the Kargil war. The Bank of India Staff Union, a communist offshoot of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), was set to honor Musharraf at its State Conference on Saturday. However, the decision was reversed at the last moment following outrage and protests.
The 23rd State Conference of the Bank of India Staff Union (Kerala) is being held at Poly George Nagar, Alappuzha, on July 27th. Congress MP KC Venugopal inaugurated the conference. As part of the program, several dignitaries were to be felicitated, including actors, singers, dancers, sportspersons, activists, and others. However, the inclusion of Pervez Musharraf’s name among those to be honored shocked many. Senior office bearers of the Bank of India Staff Union, All India Bank Employees Association, and All Kerala Bank Employees’ Federation (AKBEF) were also present at the event.
The decision to honor Musharraf drew immense criticism, leading to the removal of his name from the list. Following the revelation, BJP workers protested at the venue in Alappuzha, continuing their protests even after the name was removed. Netizens noted the irony that government bank employees could pay tribute to a Pakistani dictator who attacked India, while until recently, they were not allowed to join the RSS.
The National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers condemned the anti-national character of the Bank of India Staff Union (Kerala). They issued a statement expressing their anguish over the union's decision to pay tribute to Musharraf just a day after Kargil Vijay Diwas, calling it an insult to ex-servicemen, some of whom participated in the Kargil War and are currently employed in the banking sector.
The statement, posted on X by the Bankers’ Voice, criticized the parent body AIBEA for its history of supporting anti-national elements, citing past resolutions against blood donations to soldiers during the Indo-China conflict and support for the Tukde Tukde Gang and donations towards Palestinians supporting HAMAS. They urged the Finance Ministry to intervene and initiate an investigation, calling for the expulsion of the employees involved in the meeting and the de-recognition of the trade union by the Bank of India.
Notably, the plan to honor Musharraf came just two days after the nation observed Kargil Vijay Diwas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had issued a stern warning to Pakistan on the occasion, describing it as the ‘patrons of terrorism.’ Pervez Musharraf, who was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan during the Kargil war, has been claimed by Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif to be the planner of the Kargil invasion, though Musharraf has denied this, saying Sharif was briefed about the mission before it started. Bank of India, a public sector bank headquartered in Mumbai, has yet to issue any statement on the development.
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