In a shocking incident, the Bank of India Staff Union in Kerala decided 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. Bank of India Staff Union, which is a communist offshoot of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), was scheduled to felicitate Musharaf at its State Conference on Saturday. However, the decision was reverted 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 27th July. Congress MP KC Venugopal inaugurated the conference.
As part of the program, several dignitaries are to be felicitated. The organisation had released the names of the persons who were being honoured at the event, which included actors, singers, dancers, sportspersons, activists, and others.
However, the one name that has shocked everyone is Pervez Musharraf Former President of Pakistan. He was to be felicitated at the event along with other personalities today, 27 July. Apart from Congress MP KC Venugopal, senior office bearers of the Bank of India Staff Union, All India Bank Employees Association, and All Kerala Bank Employees’ Federation (AKBEF) are present at the event.
However, after it attracted immense criticism, the name of Parvez Musharraf was removed from the list, as per reports.
BJP Protest before Bank of India Staff Union Kerala State meet at Alappuzha today for organising Pervez Musharraf memorial. Shocked to find bank workers cherishing memory of a Pakistani general who masterminded Kargil intrusion just after Kargil Vijay diwas. Terror infiltration pic.twitter.com/aCK3vplW9o
— A. Harikumar (@journalistHari) July 27, 2024
After the matter came to light, BJP workers protested at the venue of the Bank of India Staff Union (Kerala) conference in Alappuzha. They continued the protests even after the name was removed from the list of tributes.
Netizens noted that Government Bank employees can pay tribute to the Pakistani dictator who attacked India, but until last month they were not allowed to join the RSS.
Government Bank employees can pay tribute to the Pakistani dictator who attacked India, but until last month they were not allowed to join the @RSSorg . Let that sink in. https://t.co/HCB4QPzzTN
— saket साकेत ಸಾಕೇತ್ 🇮🇳 (@saket71) July 27, 2024
The National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers have condemned the anti-national character of Bank of India Staff Union (Kerala) over the development. In a statement, they said that the organisation intentionally decided to pay tribute to Musharraf just a day after the Kargil Vijay Divas. “It’s also an insult to the large number of Ex – Service Men some of whom even participated in the Kargil War and who are currently employed in the Banking Sector. With great anguish we would like to condemn this anti-national act,” they said.
The statement posted on X by the Bankers’ Voice added that “their parent body AlBEA has also a long history of supporting the anti-national elements.” The statement further said, “Remember their act of passing resolution against donation of blood to our soldiers during the Indo China conflict and the recent acts of supporting the Tukde Tukde Gang and Donations towards the Palestinians who actively support HAMAS a global terrorist organizations.”
We strongly condemn the anti-national act of the Bank of India Staff Union [Kerala], an affiliate of @FBEU_AIBEA , for remembering Parvez Musharraf, the mastermind of the Kargil infiltration.
— The Banker’s Voice (@TheBankersVoice) July 27, 2024
Such actions insult the sacrifices of our brave soldiers and the spirit of Kargil Vijay… pic.twitter.com/P85W8GnGsf
They asked the Finance Ministry to intervene in this matter immediately and initiate appropriate investigation. “We urge upon Bank of India to expel the employees involved in this meeting who are insulting the brave martyrs and Bank should de-recognise this trade union without any further delay. We urge BMS to inform the Government of India authorities to initiate appropriate action,” they added.
Notably, Musharaf was to be honoured by the bank staff union just two after the nation overserved Kargil Vijay Diwas on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a stern warning to Pakistan on the occasion, describing it as the ‘patrons of terrorism’.
Pervez Musharraf was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan during the Kargil war, and the Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has claimed that the Kargil invasion was planned by Musharraf and he was unaware of it. However, Musharraf has denied the claims, saying Musharaf was briefed about the mission before it started.
Bank of India is a public sector bank headquartered in Mumbai. The bank management is yet to issue any statement on the development.
