A shocking incident during a peaceful protest by Punjab & Sind Bank officers has sparked outrage after female employees were reportedly denied access to basic sanitation facilities. The All India Punjab & Sind Bank Officers’ Federation (AIPSBOF) has now written to the Ministry of Women & Child Development and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), demanding immediate action.
The incident occurred on April 9, 2025, during a lawful protest held at the NBCC Complex in East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi. The protest was organized by AIPSBOF to highlight various issues faced by officers. Despite issuing a proper strike notice on March 30, 2025, and following all legal procedures under the Industrial Disputes Act, the protesters—especially women—were not allowed to use restrooms in the NBCC premises.
According to the letter sent by the federation, the request for using common toilet facilities was outright rejected. The denial came reportedly under the instructions of top bank management, HR department officials, or security staff. The situation became worse when the management referred to an outdated court order to justify the refusal.
The Federation highlighted that this behavior led to the humiliation and mental distress of female officers. They also stated that this action violated several fundamental and human rights, including:
- The Right to Dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution
- Protection under the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act
- Government guidelines for women’s safety and sanitation issued by the Ministry of Women & Child Development
In their appeal, the officers’ federation called the management’s actions “inhuman, egoistic, and high-handed,” stating that it was not just a denial of protest rights but also an attack on the basic dignity of women employees.
The Federation has made the following demands:
- A full investigation into the actions of those who blocked access to basic facilities.
- Disciplinary action against those responsible for putting women’s dignity and health at risk.
- Ensuring public spaces like NBCC are not misused to suppress peaceful protests.
- Instructions to the Punjab & Sind Bank management to follow principles of equality, lawful behavior, and respect for protest rights.
The letter has also been marked to senior government officials including the Chief Labour Commissioner, the Department of Financial Services, the National Commission for Women, and the NHRC.
Charanjeev Joshi, General Secretary of the Federation, and Parduman, the President, signed the letter, urging authorities to step in and ensure that women officers are not humiliated or harassed while exercising their democratic rights.
