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IDBI Staff Dharna in New Delhi Witnesses Strong Opposition to Privatisation Move
IDBI Bank staff staged a dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 02 April 2025, opposing privatisation. Organised by the United Forum of IDBI Unions, the protest highlighted concerns over job security and reservation policies.
Author: Abhivad
Published: April 2, 2025
New Delhi, 02 April 2025: IDBI Bank employees, under the banner of the United Forum of IDBI Unions, staged a dharna at Jantar Mantar near Parliament to protest against the proposed privatisation of the bank. The demonstration saw significant participation from officers and employees who raised concerns over the impact of the privatisation move on job security, reservation policies, and the overall functioning of the bank.
(Dharna staged by IDBI staff at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi against the proposed privatisation move.)
Employees Intensify Agitation
The dharna was part of the ongoing agitation programme against the sale of IDBI Bank to private or foreign entities. Employees have been consistently opposing the divestment move, citing fears of job losses, dilution of reservation policies, and the bank’s public service mandate being undermined. The protest follows previous demonstrations, including one at the bank’s headquarters.
Devidas Tuljapurkar(Joint Secretary, AIBEA), Vitthal Koteswara Rao(General Secretary, AIIDBIOA), Ratnakar Wankhede(General Secretary, AIIDBIEA) and other leaders also addressed the gathering at Jantar Mantar.
The dharna also received support from Supriya Sule, Lok Sabha MP from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction). In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she stated, “Extended support to the members of the All India IDBI Bank Officers and Employees Association in their opposition to the privatisation of #IDBIBank.”
(Image - Supriya Sule, MP, NCP (SP) participated in the dharna.)
Concerns Over Bad Loans and Foreign Bidders
The privatisation debate has intensified as reports highlight IDBI Bank’s significant bad loans. The bank is owed ₹6,609 crore by the top four wilful defaulters, raising questions on whether private ownership would prioritise public interest or recovery of these loans. Additionally, concerns have been raised over foreign bidders’ control, particularly in the context of a common bidder’s earlier takeover of CSB Bank.
(Image - From IDBI Dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.)
Issues of Inclusivity and Reservation
The privatisation move has sparked concerns regarding inclusivity and reservation policies. IDBI Bank, as a public sector entity, has historically followed reservation policies ensuring representation of SC/ST, OBC, and physically challenged employees. Stakeholders fear that privatisation could dilute these policies, impacting thousands of employees.
Work Culture Issues Also Highlighted
In addition to privatisation concerns, IDBI officers have previously raised alarms about a toxic work culture in the bank, citing issues such as long working hours and intimidation during meetings. These concerns add to the growing discontent among employees.
As protests continue, the United Forum of IDBI Unions remains firm in its demand for the government to reconsider its decision on IDBI Bank’s sale. Employees argue that the bank’s strategic importance and its role in public sector banking must be preserved. With growing political and public scrutiny, the privatisation move remains a contentious issue.
More Photos from the Dharna:
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