UFBU strongly protests against Attack on Bank Employees in Maharashtra, Read Press Release
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has said that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists are threatening bank officials, demanding that they speak only in Marathi and ensure all display boards are in the Marathi language. Click here to watch Videos of Attack.
In a press release, UFBU stated that while most bank boards in Maharashtra are already in Marathi and many clerical staff are Marathi-speaking, officer-level jobs are filled through a nationwide recruitment process. This means that officers come from different parts of India, and many do not speak Marathi. The forum suggested that instead of making threats, MNS should focus on improving training programs in colleges and universities to help Marathi-speaking candidates secure more officer positions.
The union also criticized MNS’s actions as a political move aimed at creating fear among bank employees. It urged the state government and bank management to take steps to protect officials and ensure a peaceful work environment.
Additionally, UFBU pointed out that while MNS is demanding more Marathi representation in banks, it has not spoken about the fact that none of the 12 public sector banks have a Marathi individual appointed as a director on their boards. The forum called on MNS leader Raj Thackeray to push for such high-level appointments instead of targeting lower-level bank staff. Click here to watch videos of attack.
The press release was signed by Devidas Tuljapurkar, Convenor of UFBU (Maharashtra State) and Joint Secretary of AIBEA. The union urged authorities to ensure a safe and fair work environment for bankers in Maharashtra.
