RRB Employees Stage Massive Dharna Across India Opposing IPO Move

Image: Assam Gramin Vikash Bank employees at mass dharna at bank’s head office in Guwahati

Image: Meghalaya Rural Bank employee’s dharna against IPO

Image: Manipur Rural Bank’s dharna against IPO at the head office 

North: Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank Employees Echo Anti-IPO Sentiment
In the heart of India, employees of Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank gathered in large numbers, joining the coordinated protest with raised slogans and banners. The protest reflected widespread opposition to the IPO move and was marked by enthusiastic participation of officers and staff.

Image: Dharna by Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank employees against IPO

In Rajasthan, employees of Rajasthan Gramin Bank held a determined dharna at the Regional Manager’s office. They expressed strong opposition to privatisation, reaffirming their commitment to protect the rural banking system and ensure financial access for remote communities.

Image: Rajasthan Gramin Bank employees at Regional Manager’s office during dharna

In Jammu and Kashmir, employees of Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank staged a mass dharna at their head office, joining the nationwide protest against the proposed IPO in RRBs. With banners and slogans echoing across the premises, the staff voiced strong resistance to privatisation, emphasising the vital role of RRBs in the financial empowerment of rural and remote regions.

Image: Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank mass dharna at the head office

East: Massive Participation in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal
The protest in Uttar Pradesh saw strong mobilisation of officers and employees of Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, under the leadership of apex unions. Large numbers assembled beneath banners clearly stating: “RRBs’ Apex Unions Unitedly Oppose IPO Proposal in RRBs and Privatisation.”

Image: Apex RRB unions from Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank during dharna opposing IPO 

Image: Bihar Gramin Bank employees and officers opposing IPO

In West Bengal, Bangiya Gramin Vikash Bank staff organised a dharna outside their Head Office, holding banners demanding the scrapping of the IPO proposal. Retired employees also participated, reflecting the depth of concern among past and present staff alike.

Image: West Bengal Gramin Bank employees during dharna at head office

South: Coordinated Demonstrations in Telangana, Andhra, and Karnataka
In South India, the protest witnessed large-scale participation from Telangana Grameena Bank (TGB), Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank (APGB), and Karnataka Grameena Bank (KGB) employees. TGB and APGB unions jointly organised symbolic protests in front of bank premises, carrying banners denouncing privatisation attempts and warning of consequences to rural financial access.

Telangana Grameena Bank saw a vocal gathering of staff from various locations at the bank head office in Hyderabad. They assembled under union banners with determined slogans rejecting the IPO idea.

Image: Dharna staged by TGB employees against IPO at head office in Hyderabad

Image: Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank employees during dharna at Guntur, A.P

Image: Members of Apex RRB Union submitting memorandum to the Chairman of Karnataka Grameena Bank

A Unified Stand Against IPO in RRBs
With the united opposition to RRB privatisation via IPOs gaining momentum in both symbolism and scale, the July 23 dharnas stand as a powerful reminder to policymakers — resistance to the IPO proposal is neither isolated nor fading. As unions gear up for the next phase of agitation, including strikes and broader public outreach, their message remains unequivocal: protect India’s rural banking institutions from the threat of privatisation.