A nationwide general strike, or Bharat Bandh, called by central trade unions began across several States on Wednesday, with workers staging protests against what they describe as the Centre’s “anti-worker” economic and labour policies. The strike has received support from farmers’ organisations and sectoral unions, leading to varying degrees of disruption to public services in different parts of the country.
Trade union leaders claimed that nearly 30 crore workers from sectors including banking, insurance, coal mining, transport, steel, power, petroleum, posts and telecom are expected to participate. Demonstrations, rallies and sit-ins were reported from States such as Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Odisha, Assam, Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka, while the impact remained limited in some other regions.
Public sector banks and insurance offices saw reduced attendance in several cities, though essential services continued to function. State-run transport services were partially affected in pockets where unions enforced road blockades or held protest marches. Schools and colleges largely remained open, but attendance was thin in areas witnessing strong mobilisation.
The strike has been jointly called by major central trade unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and others. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has extended support, with farmers’ groups organising solidarity protests at district headquarters in some States.
Union leaders said the bandh was aimed at opposing the implementation of the four labour codes, privatisation of public sector undertakings, contractualisation of jobs, and what they allege is a weakening of collective bargaining rights. Other demands include a rollback of privatisation policies, restoration of the old pension scheme, higher minimum wages, and measures to curb price rise and unemployment.
The Union government has maintained that the labour reforms are intended to simplify compliance, improve ease of doing business and boost employment, while ensuring social security coverage for workers.
Security has been tightened in sensitive areas, and State administrations said they were monitoring the situation to ensure law and order. Authorities also appealed to protesters to keep demonstrations peaceful and avoid inconvenience to the general public.
The bandh is expected to continue through the day, with the extent of disruption depending on local participation and enforcement by unions
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