Delhi HC Asks Police To Find Protest Venue For Bank Unions Ahead Of 3-Day Strike

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the city police to consider allotting an alternative venue to bank employees' unions for holding a peaceful demonstration next week, days before a nationwide three-day bank strike.

Justice Amit Mahajan asked the authorities to take a decision by Monday on the request of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), Delhi State, after police said permitting the protest at Jantar Mantar could create a law-and-order situation.

The union had approached the court seeking permission to hold a dharna from September 28 to 30 at Jantar Mantar or another suitable location in Delhi. The court directed the authorities to consider the request for an alternative site and communicate their decision to the petitioner.

The development comes as bank unions prepare for a nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, with the demand for a five-day banking week at the centre of the agitation. The unions want all Saturdays to be holidays instead of the current arrangement under which bank branches generally remain closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays.

Other demands include improvements in pension benefits, a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System to switch to the old pension scheme.

The Centre has taken measures to minimise disruption. Public sector banks and regional rural banks are scheduled to operate on Sunday, September 27, with the Reserve Bank of India approving the opening of branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests ahead of the strike.

The unions, however, have indicated that the agitation could continue if their demands remain unresolved, with an indefinite strike proposed from October 26.

For customers, branch-based banking services may face disruption during the strike, although digital banking, UPI and ATM services are expected to remain available, subject to individual bank operations.

The Delhi HC order comes against this wider backdrop, with the immediate issue being the availability of a venue for the unions' proposed peaceful demonstration.