A collective of trade unions and farmers’ organisations has called for a nationwide strike – Bharat Bandh – on Wednesday, July 9. The protest targets what they describe as “pro-corporate and anti-worker” policies introduced by the central government. The joint forum of 10 major central trade unions has organised this strike to oppose recent labour law reforms, rising privatisation, and worsening economic conditions in rural India. Organisers said preparations for the strike have been completed across formal and informal sectors to ensure large-scale participation and make the protest impactful.
More than 25 crore workers from sectors such as banking, postal, coal mining, and state transport are expected to participate in the Bharat Bandh. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha confirmed that the strike would significantly affect key public services. Workers from both organised and unorganised sectors have extended their support. The unions have framed a 17-point charter of demands, which they submitted last year to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, but claim the government has ignored it. The protest marks one of the largest coordinated efforts by trade unions in recent years.
The banking and insurance sectors are likely to witness significant disruptions during the Bharat Bandh. The Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association, affiliated with the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), has declared its support. No official bank holiday has been announced, but employee participation is expected to impact daily operations across various branches. Insurance workers have also confirmed their involvement in the strike. Customers have been advised to complete essential transactions in advance to avoid inconvenience. Despite the strike, ATMs and digital services are expected to function normally unless local issues arise.
Educational institutions are expected to function normally on July 9. No directive has been issued for the closure of schools or colleges in relation to the Bharat Bandh. Most state education departments and private institutions have not announced any changes in schedule. Unless directed otherwise by local administrations or school management, classes will continue as planned. However, regions with strong union presence may witness localised disruptions or demonstrations, especially near campuses or public transit points, which could affect student and staff mobility in some areas.
India’s power supply may face temporary disruption during the strike. Over 27 lakh electricity sector employees are expected to participate, which could cause outages in select regions. The scale of disruption will vary based on regional union strength and backup arrangements by electricity boards. Meanwhile, railway unions have not officially joined the strike, but minor disturbances remain possible. In past strikes, protestors have blocked railway tracks and demonstrated outside stations. Such activities, if repeated, may lead to delays in train schedules, particularly in union-dominated zones.
In Sangli, Maharashtra, ASHA workers and other labourers joined a protest march to the Sangli Zilla Parishad on Tuesday, voicing their demands as part of the nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by united trade unions.
In Madhya Pradesh, a protest march was organized in Gwalior as part of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by united trade unions, with demonstrators gathering near the Rani Lakshmi Bai memorial to voice their demands during a peaceful meeting.
The Telangana Grameena Bank Employees’ Union staged a protest in Hyderabad as part of the Bharat Bandh.
Congress MP & LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi takes part in Mahagathbandhan’s ‘Bihar Bandh’ rally against electoral rolls revision in Bihar.
He said, “The way there was vote theft in the Maharashtra elections, a similar attempt is being made in Bihar,” he says.
Kolkata Police tries to douse a fire as left parties’ unions participate in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by 10 central trade unions, alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers’ rights.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, CPI General Secretary D Raja, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya and Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram join the ‘Bihar Bandh’ protests called by the Mahagathbandhan against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar ahead of the state Assembly Elections 2025.
Buses operate normally despite trade union strike in Chennai.
Drivers of state-run buses in Siliguri, West Bengal wear helmets as a measure of precaution, as 10 central trade unions have called for ‘Bharat Bandh‘ against the central government’s policies.
Police resort to lathicharge as workers of Left organisations try to enforce shutdown in Howrah. More than 25 crore workers affiliated with central and sectoral trade unions have announced to go on strike across the country to protest against new labour codes and privatisation, and press for demands such as minimum wage of Rs 26,000 and old pension scheme, according to union leaders.
RJD workers stop Namo Bharat Train as the party, along with Congress, and other Mahagathbandhan opposition parties have called for a bandh in protest against the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in the state.
Members of RJD’s students’ wing block the train tracks at Jehanabad railway station, supporting ‘Bharat Bandh‘ called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates.
Banking services likely to be hit
Bank employees’ unions, including the Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association (affiliated with AIBEA), have announced participation in the strike.
Insurance sector workers are also expected to join.
No official bank holiday has been declared, but services may face widespread disruption across the country.
Educational institutions remain open
No government or institutional orders have mandated the closure of schools or colleges.
Classes are expected to run as scheduled unless directed otherwise by local authorities.
Power supply may be affected
Over 27 lakh employees from the power sector are expected to join the strike.
Some areas may face electricity disruptions depending on regional union strength and backup arrangements.
Railways not officially on strike, but minor disruptions possible
Railway unions have not formally joined the Bharat Bandh.
However, demonstrations at railway stations or tracks may cause indirect delays or interruptions in train services.
Public transport and road travel could face interruptions
In several cities, public buses, taxis, and app-based cab services may be affected.
Protest rallies and road blockades by union members may result in traffic delays and restricted movement.
The workers’ union forum announced the strike in protest against the government’s failure to hold the annual labour conference for the last ten years. The forum accused the administration of acting against workers’ interests by advancing four labour codes. It stated that these codes aim “to weaken collective bargaining, restrict union activities, and favour employers under the guise of ‘ease of doing business’.”
