Seven Bank Unions Condemn Police Action on Student Protesters, Call for Dialogue Over Force
"Joint Appeal for Dialogue, Not Force," stresses that students represent the future of the nation and deserve to have their voices heard through constructive engagement
In a rare joint appeal, seven major bank employees’ and officers’ organisations have strongly condemned the reported police action and alleged lathi charge on students participating in a peaceful protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The organisations have urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue, empathy, and democratic engagement rather than the use of force. The appeal comes amid nationwide attention on student-led protests over education-related concerns and reports of clashes between demonstrators and security personnel.
The joint statement, released under the banner “Joint Appeal for Dialogue, Not Force,” stresses that students represent the future of the nation and deserve to have their voices heard through constructive engagement.
‘Students Are the Future of Our Nation’
Expressing concern over the reported events at Jantar Mantar, the organisations stated that the use of force against peaceful protesters is deeply disturbing.
The statement reads: “Students are the future of our nation. Their voices must be heard through dialogue, empathy, and democratic engagement—not force.”
The unions urged the government to immediately initiate meaningful discussions with the students and take constructive steps to address their genuine concerns peacefully.
Appeal for Peaceful Resolution
The banking organisations emphasized that democratic societies thrive on dialogue and mutual understanding rather than confrontation.
They appealed to the authorities to:
- Engage in immediate and meaningful dialogue with student representatives.
- Address the legitimate concerns raised by students through peaceful negotiations.
- Uphold democratic values and protect the right to peaceful protest.
- Avoid the use of excessive force while handling public demonstrations.
The appeal prominently highlights the values of Dialogue • Democracy • Justice, reinforcing the organisations’ belief that these principles should guide the resolution of public grievances.
Seven Banking Organisations Issue Joint Statement
The appeal has been jointly issued by seven prominent banking unions and officers’ associations:
- All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA)
- All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC)
- National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE)
- All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA)
- Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI)
- Indian National Bank Officers’ Congress (INBOC)
- Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF)
Growing Calls for Dialogue
The statement adds to the growing calls from various sections of society urging a peaceful resolution to the ongoing student protests. While authorities have maintained that security measures were necessary during demonstrations, several organisations and public figures have appealed for restraint and constructive engagement between the government and protesting students.
The banking unions concluded their appeal by reiterating that democracy is strengthened when governments listen to the voices of citizens, particularly students, through dialogue rather than confrontation.
