—CIRCULAR No. 30/40/2026/73 3-10-2026
To Office Bearers, State Federations and
All India Bankwise Federations, All Unions
Dear Comrades,
Ignore the dirty critics
Ignite more unity
Inculcate organisational discipline
After UFBU deferred the strike due to the positive developments on the demands raised in the strike notice, the social media is flooded with all sorts of criticism against UFBU, AIBEA and other Unions.
Some of these comments are libelous, defamatory and derogatory. Some of the posts and messages are slanderous. Some are questioning the honesty and financial integrity of the leaders. Hence this is irritating and provoking our members. Our comrades are suggesting to us to take legal action on these activities.
But such criticisms are not new to us. In the long journey of 80 years, AIBEA has seen much more than this. Whenever AIBEA has achieved something, these adversaries and inimical elements come up with their propaganda. When AIBEA achieved bipartite system in 1966, they criticised AIBEA. When AIBEA achieved nationalisation of Banks in 1969, they criticised AIBEA. When AIBEA achieved Pension Settlement in 1993, they criticised AIBEA and our leaders.
Same is the case with UFBU. If we go on strike, they criticise UFBU that it is loss of salary for employees. If you defer the strike, they accuse that leaders have received huge money from Government. Whatever union does, their job is only to criticise and create disaffection against the trade unions. They were there in the past. They are there now also.
But today these criticisms are more visible because of social media platforms. All of us know who are these people who are doing this propaganda. All of us know who are the forces that are behind these vituperative campaigns against AIBEA and UFBU. They have not succeeded in the past. They will not succeed now also.
Many of our members are active in the social media platforms. Wherever we observe such anti-AIBEA/UFBU messages, our comrades should befittingly reply to these maligning and defaming messages.
Distinguish between deliberate critics and genuine questions: But there are many of our members who genuinely seek clarification about the developments that led to the deferment of the strike. Particularly our young members who are not fully aware of the details, want to know why the strike was deferred at the last minute when they were getting ready for the strike. They should not be mistaken for asking questions.
It is the democratic right of any member to raise questions and get clarified from the Union. We must encourage them so that they feel free to raise their doubts and get clarified. The only point is that they should contact their union leaders and get the clarifications. We find that a lot of meetings are being held on line at various levels of our organisation and our members are being explained and clarified. More and more meetings are to be held – physical and online – so that our rank and file is abreast of the developments.
UFBU is united: There are also efforts to divide and weaken the unions under UFBU. But we only want to say that UFBU is truly united and their attempts will not succeed. The 7 unions under UFBU have their own individual perceptions but we are united under UFBU for the common cause of bank employees and officers. Even the recent agitational programmes were decided with total unity and the decision to defer the strike in the light of the developments was also unanimous.
UFBU is a unique role model for unity beyond cadres and designations in the Banks. Employees and officers are part of this common, united umbrella. It is very important to maintain this precious unity. Further, there have been many agitations, struggles and strike actions under the banner of UFBU and there have been many significant achievements also. Hence all of us should further strengthen UFBU.
Beware of political machinations: We also observe that there are repeated attempts by the rival forces to instigate and incite employes on political ground. Everyone knows that AIBEA is a mass organisation of bank employees belonging to all political views. In the past these rival forces have tried. Now they are trying with the patronage of the Government. Our unions and members should be cautious and watchful of these sinister moves.
Lessons of the past, our guideline for the future: In the past 80 years of the glorious journey of AIBEA, we have learnt that unity is the foremost requirement for the Union and its strength. We have learnt that consistent struggle alone will yield the results. There is no shortcut in trade union. We have learnt that rival forces will try their best to weaken our unity and so we should always remain united.
Unity is our strength. Union is our protection. Disciplined membership is our army.
Ignore the dirty critics
Ignite more and more unity
Inculcate organisational discipline
C H VENKATACHALAMGENERAL SECRETARY AIBEA
98400 89920