RRB Employees Across India Stage Black Badge Protest Against IPO Move

Hundreds of employees of Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank sprung into black badge protest expressing their discontent against the announcement of IPO in RRBs. According to an employee, all branches including administrative offices such as Regional Offices as well as departments at head office took part in it making it a successful event. 

Image: Employees of Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank participating in black badge protest against IPO

In Uttarakhand, employees of Uttarakhand Gramin Bank protested against the RRB IPO with active participation. AIRRBEA affiliated Uttarakhand Gramin Bank Karamchari Sangh played a pivotal role in the protest across 100 branches demanding reversal of the IPO  move.

Image: Uttarakhand Grami Bank employees during black badge protest

Employees of Mizoram Rural Bank, Nagaland Rural Bank, and Assam Gramin Vikash Bank in the north-eastern region of India observed the black badge protest at their respective branches and regional offices.

In Assam, large groups of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank employees across various branches expressed solidarity with the national call. Staff gathered in office premises, visibly donning black badges to mark their dissent.

Image: Black badge protest by RRB staff of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank

Meghalaya Rural Bank staff also joined the protest, as seen in Shillong, where both officers and staff staged a collective demonstration inside the bank premises.

Image: Protest at Head Office of Nagaland Rural Bank

Eastern Region: United Stand from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh

In the eastern states, staff of Bihar Gramin Bank under AIBEA-affiliated unions staged coordinated protests at regional offices, including the Ara Regional Office.

Image: Bihar Gramin Bank employees displaying the black badge protest at Ara Regional office

 

Jharkhand Rajya Gramin Bank (JRGB) employees too joined the action, voicing concern over the IPO proposal and its possible repercussions on rural service delivery. As per JRGB sources, the protest happened in 450 branches of the state.

Image: Jharkhand Rajya Gramin Bank employees on protest across the state

From Odisha, Odisha Grameen Bank (OGB) employees across branches wore black badges in silent protest, echoing the concerns of their counterparts in other parts of India.

Image: Black badge protest at Sonepur branch of Odisha Grameen Bank

The protest received an overwhelming participation by employees of Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank (UPGB) displaying their opposition against the IPO move. The participation witnessed all-round participation from unions affiliated to AIRRBEA and AIRRBOF in Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank.

Image: UPGB employees during black badge protest

Image: Members of AIRRBOF affiliated Uttar Pradesh Gramin Officers’ Federation

Southern States: Massive Response in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala

Karnataka Grameena Bank employees, affiliated with both AIRRBEA and AIRRBOF, observed the black badge protest at various branches and offices, including a large gathering at the Project Office, Bangalore.

Image: Karnataka Grameena Bank Bank employees during the black badge protest

In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, staff of Telangana Grameena Bank (TGB) and Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank (APGB) marked their participation with branch-level and office-level observances, reflecting their alignment with the united national movement.

Image: Black badge protest at Telangana Grameena Bank and Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank

In Kerala, Kerala Gramin Bank employees also stood in protest, underlining their resolve against the IPO move.

Image: Employees of Kerala Gramin Bank displaying black badge protesting against IPO in RRBs

Similar response of resistance against IPO was seen across branches of Tamil Nadu Gramya Bank (TNGB) wherein staff were seen wearing black badges. 

Image: TNGB employees participating in black badge protest

A Common Call Against IPO and Privatisation

The black badge protest comes amid fears that the IPO initiative will dilute government control over RRBs and allow corporate interests to influence rural banking operations. Unions have consistently argued that such moves would compromise the banks’ public service mandate and shift focus toward profit-making objectives.

Visuals of Unity

Images shared from across India showed groups of employees — from metro city project offices to remote branch locations — united in a common cause. Whether in small groups of two or large gatherings of staff, the symbolic black badge spoke volumes of their apprehension about the future of RRBs. This protest marks a significant step in the escalating agitation plan of RRB unions resisting changes in character of RRBs.