Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 25: Protesting against the bank's decision to dismiss its two employees who had entered wedlock, several social activists and progressive thinkers sat in protest demonstration in front of Hotel Industrialists Cooperate Bank here on Friday June 24.

It is gathered that Rakesh, an employee of the above bank, had legally married Unnathi, working as second division assistant of the bank here, about seven months back. The bank management, without citing any reasons, had suddenly dismissed the couple thereafter. Although they have been carrying forward their struggle for justice, nothing concrete could be achieved. The progressive thinkers and others who assembled near the bank premises expressed their anger about this matter.

It is gathered that Rakesh belongs to Mogaveera community, while Unnathi is a Brahmin by birth. The two had fallen in love with each and thereafter got married. At around 11.30 am on Friday, the couple, accompanied by well-known thinkers, Agni Sridhar, Indudhara Honnapura, Anant Nayak, Dr Venkataswamy, Banandur Kempaiah, Krishnamasadi, Srinivas Kariyappa and several others came to the head office of the above cooperative bank and put pressure on the management to reverse its decision.

It is learnt that the management has asked the couple to rejoin for duties on Monday June 27. As per information, Unnathi is the daughter of the younger brother of former Karnataka Rajya Sahitya Parishad, the late Pundalika Halambi. As per information provided by Rakesh and Unnathi, Halambi himself had brought pressure on the bank management to dismiss the couple as he did not approve of the marriage between his close relative with a man belonging to a caste that is perceived to be inferior to her own.