Chandigarh: IDBI Bank Employees to Hold Hunger Strike at Sector 17 Against Privatisation on July 20

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Chandigarh is set to witness a protest by IDBI Bank employees on Monday, July 20, as officers and staff members will hold a hunger strike at Sector 17 to oppose the proposed privatisation of the bank. The demonstration forms part of a wider movement led by the United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees, which has been campaigning against the Centre’s strategic disinvestment plan.

Employee representatives said the Chandigarh protest aims to raise public awareness about what they describe as the far-reaching impact of privatisation on employees, customers and the country’s public banking system. They maintained that the issue extends beyond the future of a single bank and involves questions of employment security, financial inclusion and public accountability.

According to the employee forum, IDBI Bank has undergone a significant financial turnaround over the past six years, recording consistent profits and strengthening its operational performance. The forum questioned the need for privatisation at a time when the bank has shown sustained improvement, arguing that the institution has demonstrated its ability to perform successfully as a public sector lender.

“We are holding this hunger strike to protect public sector banking and the interests of employees and customers,” members of the forum said while announcing the Chandigarh protest. “This is a peaceful democratic movement to appeal for reconsideration of the proposed privatisation.”

Employees participating in the protest said one of their biggest concerns is uncertainty over jobs and pension benefits if the ownership structure changes. They also expressed apprehension about the future of reservation policies that currently apply to public sector institutions.

The forum stated that IDBI Bank employs 884 differently-abled staff members and provides opportunities to employees belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). According to the employees, privatisation could affect the continuation of reservation-related provisions that are available in government-owned banks.

The protesters also argued that privatisation could reduce transparency because a privately owned bank would no longer fall under oversight mechanisms such as the Right to Information Act, the Central Vigilance Commission and Parliamentary Committees. They believe these institutions currently play an important role in ensuring accountability in public sector banking.

Employee representatives further highlighted IDBI Bank’s contribution to financial inclusion through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Atal Pension Yojana. They said the bank also operates Aadhaar Enrolment Centres and rural training initiatives that support government welfare programmes.

The Chandigarh hunger strike at Sector 17 is expected to draw participation from officers, employees and union members from the region. The protest comes as employee organisations across the country continue to oppose the proposed strategic sale, urging the Central Government to reconsider the decision.

With the demonstration scheduled in the heart of Chandigarh, the issue is likely to attract the attention of local residents, banking customers and policymakers. Employee leaders say they hope the peaceful hunger strike will send a strong message that public sector banking should be strengthened rather than privatised.