From Bandhan to Burden: Punjab & Sind Bank Officers Are Protesting Questionable Appointments and Harsh Transfer Policies

On April 9, 2025, a peaceful protest held by officers of Punjab & Sind Bank at the NBCC Complex, East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi, drew national attention — not just for the cause, but for the shocking denial of basic facilities. The protest took a disturbing turn when women officers were reportedly denied access to washrooms during the demonstration, prompting the All India Punjab & Sind Bank Officers’ Federation (AIPSBOF) to escalate the matter to the Ministry of Women & Child Development and the National Human Rights Commission.

Read our detailed article on the April 9 incident here - Punjab & Sind Bank Women Officers Denied Restrooms During Peaceful Protest

But behind this shocking incident lies a deeper, persistent issue — irrational transfers, arbitrary policies, and leadership decisions that have demoralized officers across public sector banks (PSBs).

A Tweet, A Video, and a Trigger
The unrest began to surface in February, when Punjab & Sind Bank officers raised questions over the appointment of a Managing Director allegedly rejected by Bandhan Bank. A widely circulated tweet asked:

“If someone isn’t fit for a private bank, how can they be the ideal choice for a national institution?”

Soon after, a video of a woman officer emotionally describing her ordeal — being posted over 200 km away and still being told it falls within her “home zone” — went viral. “Are we running banks or kingdoms?” she asked.

These moments became symbolic of a larger problem.

“No guidelines are being followed.”
Charanjeev Joshi, General Secretary of AIPSBOF, has been at the forefront of this movement. Speaking to Kanal Media, he said:

“There are no government guidelines, no DFS guidelines being followed — every bank management has made its own transfer policies. How can any male or female officer travel 200 km every day? How is that even possible?”

He also pointed to the government's own stance, which recommends: “As far as possible, women employees may be posted at a place where their spouse or parents reside.”

(DoPT OM No. 28034/9/2009-Estt.(A))

“These guidelines exist, but they're not respected,” Joshi added. “It's total misgovernance.”

A Legal Mirror: The Durgesh Kuwar Case
The anger among officers isn't just emotional — it’s backed by precedent. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ms. Durgesh Kuwar, a Chief Manager at Punjab & Sind Bank who was transferred 600 km away after reporting corruption and sexual harassment by a superior.

The Court declared her transfer mala fide, calling it: “A carrot and stick policy to suborn the dignity of a woman officer.”

The court ruling, shared by senior officer Mr. Jain, echoes the very same injustices the officers are protesting today.

[Read more about Ms. Durgesh Kuwar case: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/6672651/ ]

Talks with CLC, Demands for Change
The union is also engaging constructively. Joshi confirmed:  “We recently held a meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner. Based on that, discussions have now started between unions and bank management to amend the current transfer policies.”

This includes demands for:

• Transparent, merit-based appointments for MDs and EDs
• Gender-sensitive and logical transfer rules
• Respect for government norms and officer dignity
• Performance-based leadership incentives

“If our demands are not met, we will continue to protest.”
Despite dialogue, the union is prepared for further agitation. Joshi mentioned to Kanal: “If our demands still aren't met, we’ll continue to protest in whatever ways are available to us. We’re not asking for perks — we’re asking for fairness and dignity.”

Conclusion
The April 9 protest wasn’t just about restroom access — it became a symbol of how basic respect and fair treatment are being denied to officers in national institutions. Backed by legal precedent, policy guidelines, and the growing unrest among public sector bankers, the message from AIPSBOF is clear:

It’s time to stop managing banks like fiefdoms — and start leading them with fairness, vision, and accountability.