New Delhi, July 8, 2025 – India is bracing for a massive nationwide strike, dubbed the “Bharat Bandh,” scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Organized by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, along with farmers’ and rural workers’ organizations, the strike is expected to see participation from over 25 crore workers across various sectors. The protest aims to challenge what the unions describe as the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies. Public services, including banking, transport, postal services, and coal mining, are likely to face significant disruptions, while schools, colleges, and government offices are expected to remain operational. This article delves into the reasons behind the bandh, its anticipated impact, the demands of the trade unions, and the broader socio-political context surrounding the strike.
Background and Reasons for the Bharat Bandh
The Bharat Bandh is a response to long-standing grievances of workers and farmers, who accuse the government of prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of laborers and agricultural communities. A coalition of 10 central trade unions, including the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), has spearheaded the call for the strike. These unions, representing both organized and unorganized sectors, have been vocal critics of the government’s labor and economic policies.
A key point of contention is the introduction of four new labor codes passed by the Indian Parliament, which the unions argue are designed to undermine workers’ rights. According to a statement from the trade union forum, these codes “suppress and cripple the trade union movement, increase working hours, snatch workers’ right to collective bargaining, right to strike, and decriminalize violation of labor laws by employers.” The codes, which consolidate 29 existing labor laws into four broad categories—wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety—are seen by critics as favoring employers under the guise of promoting “ease of doing business.” The unions claim that these reforms weaken collective bargaining power, extend working hours, and dilute penalties for labor law violations, thereby jeopardizing workers to exploitation.
In addition to the labor codes, the unions have raised strong objections to the government’s push for privatization of public sector enterprises and services. The planned privatization of power distribution companies in Uttar Pradesh, for instance, has prompted over 27 lakh power sector employees to join the strike. The unions also criticize policies promoting outsourcing, contractorization, and casualization of the workforce, which they argue erode job security and benefits for millions of workers. As Amarjeet Kaur from the All India Trade Union Congress stated, “More than 25 crore workers are expected to take part in the strike. Farmers and rural workers will also join the protest across the country,” highlighting the widespread discontent fueling the bandh.
The strike also draws support from agricultural organizations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and joint fronts of agricultural workers’ unions, which have committed to organizing large-scale mobilizations in rural India. The participation of farmers underscores the bandh’s broader critique of government policies perceived as “anti-farmer.” The unions and farmers’ groups argue that the government’s economic agenda disadvantages rural communities while favoring large corporations.
Demands of the Trade Unions
At the core of the Bharat Bandh lies a 17-point charter of demands submitted by the trade union forum to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in 2024. The forum has expressed frustration over the government’s failure to address these demands or engage in meaningful dialogue. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from Hind Mazdoor Sabha noted that the government has not conducted the annual labor conference for the past decade, which the unions view as evidence of the Centre’s disregard for workers’ concerns.
The demands include the repeal of the four labor codes, a halt to the privatization of public sector enterprises, and measures to curb unemployment. The unions have also called for stronger protections for workers’ rights, including the right to strike and collective bargaining, as well as policies to address the casualization of labor. Other demands focus on improving social security, ensuring fair wages, and supporting rural workers and farmers. The forum’s statement emphasized the need for a “unified show of resistance from both industrial and rural India,” framing the bandh as a collective stand against policies that undermine the welfare state.
Anticipated Impact on Public Services
The Bharat Bandh is expected to disrupt a wide range of public services across India. According to union leaders, sectors such as banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, highways, construction, and state transport will be significantly affected. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu stated, “The strike will impact banking, postal services, coal mining, factories, and state transport services. Electricity supply in the country could be hit as more than 27 lakh power workers will go on the Bharat Bandh tomorrow.”
Banking and Financial Services
While banking unions have not independently confirmed disruptions, bandh organizers claim that employees from public sector banks and cooperative banking sectors will participate, potentially affecting branch operations, cheque clearance, and customer services. The Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association, affiliated with the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), has confirmed that the banking and insurance sectors will join the strike. However, since July 9 is not an RBI-declared holiday, banks are likely to remain officially open, though services may be limited in many regions. Citizens are advised to check with local branches before visiting.
Public Transport
State transport systems may face disruptions, particularly in states with strong union presence, such as Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. While no official railway strike is planned, past bandhs have seen protests near railway tracks, leading to delays or route changes. Security forces are expected to be deployed around major railway stations to ensure safe travel.
Coal Mining and Factories
Coal and non-coal mineral industries, including organizations like NMDC Ltd., will participate in the strike, potentially affecting production and related services. Factories across various sectors are also expected to see reduced operations due to worker participation.
Schools, Colleges, and Government Offices
Despite the scale of the strike, schools, colleges, and government offices are expected to remain open, as they are not directly tied to the union-led protest. However, local disruptions in transport and public services may indirectly affect their operations, particularly in areas with significant union activity.
Regional Variations in Impact
The Bharat Bandh’s impact is likely to vary across states. In Kerala, where unions like INTUC and CITU hold significant influence, a near-total shutdown is anticipated, with only essential services permitted to operate. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are expected to experience noticeable disruptions, while the rest of India may see more limited effects. Social media posts on X suggest that the bandh’s impact will be most pronounced in opposition-ruled states, with minimal disruption in BJP-governed regions.
Government and Public Response
The central government has yet to issue an official response to the bandh call, but past instances suggest that authorities will deploy security forces to prevent disruptions, particularly at railway stations and public transport hubs. The government has previously defended the labor codes as necessary reforms to modernize India’s labor market and attract investment. However, critics argue that these reforms prioritize corporate interests over workers’ welfare.
Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, is mixed. Some users support the strike as a necessary stand against “anti-worker” policies, while others express concern over the inconvenience caused by disruptions to essential services. One X post described the bandh as a “fight against the government’s anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national policies,” while another predicted that the economic burden of the strike would fall disproportionately on workers themselves.
Last Updated on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 8:37 am by Mahitha Ventrapati
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