Who is Vivek Banzal? A look at the BSNL Director behind the Prayagraj ‘royal protocol’ row that reignited debate over VIP and babu culture in India.
The controversy erupted after an internal BSNL circular detailing arrangements for Banzal’s visit to Prayagraj surfaced online. (Photo: Social Media)
India’s long-running debate over VIP and babu culture has returned to the spotlight after a controversial internal circular linked to a senior BSNL official went viral. The episode has triggered public outrage, forced an official cancellation, and raised uncomfortable questions about entitlement in public sector institutions.
At the centre of the controversy is Vivek Banzal, a senior bureaucrat and Director at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, whose proposed visit to Prayagraj sparked criticism over what many described as “royal treatment” funded by public resources.
Vivek Banzal is a 1987-batch officer of the Indian Telecom Service (ITS). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and a Master’s degree in Computer Science Engineering. With more than 35 years of experience in the telecom sector, Banzal has held several senior roles across government-owned enterprises.
He joined BSNL as Director (Consumer Fixed Access) in 2018 and later served as Chairman and Managing Director of ITI Limited in 2022. He subsequently returned to BSNL in a leadership role. Within official circles, Banzal is regarded as a seasoned technocrat with decades of administrative experience.
The controversy erupted after an internal BSNL circular detailing arrangements for Banzal’s visit to Prayagraj surfaced online. The document outlined extensive logistical and personal arrangements for the Director and his family during a planned visit to the Sangam on February 25–26.
BSNL Director Vivek Banjal’s ‘royal visit’ to Prayagraj CANCELLED! Over 50 officers had been deployed to handle even the tiniest details including his underwear! 🫣 A full-blown protocol was issued on Feb 19 to ensure he faced zero inconvenience during the trip. All that pomp…… pic.twitter.com/s4TSGljaF5
— The Nalanda Index (@Nalanda_index) February 23, 2026
According to the circular, BSNL staff were tasked with arranging meals, transport, accommodation, and personal kits. The list reportedly included towels, toiletries, grooming items, and even undergarments. Committees were formed to handle everything from airport reception to personal comfort, with around 50 employees assigned various duties.
The scale and nature of the arrangements triggered sharp criticism on social media, with many questioning why a public sector organisation would deploy staff and resources in this manner.
After the circular went viral, BSNL cancelled the visit. A BSNL official later admitted that the document was leaked by mistake and was intended only for internal coordination.
Following the backlash, BSNL issued an official clarification on X, "BSNL has standing instructions in place regarding the manner in which official visits are to be handled. An instance of non-adherence to the same has been taken note of. The instance noted is not in conformity with the professional standards and values of BSNL. Appropriate action has been taken against the concerned. Further, instructions have been issued reiterating strict adherence to extant instructions. BSNL employees are reminded to strictly adhere to prescribed conduct rules and instructions in this regard."
The episode has revived memories of earlier VIP controversies, including the case of IAS officer Sanjeev Khirwar, who once restricted public access to a stadium for personal reasons. Critics argue that such incidents reflect a deeper administrative mindset rather than individual misconduct.
A retired BSNL Deputy General Manager, speaking anonymously, explained, “This is a very common practice in the PSUs and government departments. Whenever a senior officer like the Director, CMD, or Secretary visits other concerned offices for meetings, elaborate arrangements are often made by the organisations, and officials/staff are deployed to make the visit smooth. The viral protocol circular may have amazed common citizens, but a government staff member may not find anything unusual in this.”
Public anger stems less from one visit and more from what it represents. When officials prioritise protocol and personal comfort over public service, trust in institutions erodes. Critics say such practices clash with the government’s stated push for efficiency, accountability, and citizen-centric governance under leaders like Narendra Modi.
The controversy around Vivek Banzal has reignited calls for reform, urging public institutions to draw a clear line between official necessity and personal privilege.
