On Wednesday, more than 25 crore workers will join the Bharat Bandh, a nationwide general strike that promises to impact essential services across the country, reported The Indian Express. This Bharat Bandh has been organised by a coalition of ten central trade unions and is being supported by farmers’ and rural labour groups in protest against anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro‑corporate policies advanced by the central government, including recent labour law reforms.
The strike is scheduled to begin early on July 9 and will involve participation from both the organised and unorganised sectors. Public sector employees, banking staff, postal workers, coal mine labourers, construction workers, and municipal employees are among the key participants. Sector activity is expected to grind across multiple industries, with major disruptions anticipated in banking, insurance, postal services, highway and public transport, power, and public sector enterprises.
Unions, including major bodies like AITUC, INTUC, CITU, HMS, SEWA, and several others, have issued a 17‑point demand charter that includes calls to roll back four new labour codes, protect collective bargaining rights, prevent casualisation of labour, and enhance rural job schemes. According to union leaders, the government has failed to address these demands or convene the Indian Labour Conference in nearly a decade.
In tandem with worker mobilisation, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and allied farmer groups have endorsed the strike, citing rural distress caused by inflation, decreasing welfare spending, job losses, and systemic neglect of agricultural livelihoods. Their participation is expected to amplify the scope of the bandh beyond urban protest zones into villages across India.
Public services such as banks and postal offices are likely to be severely affected. Although banks have not officially declared closure, disruptions are expected in cheque clearing, in-branch services, and insurance operations. In many states, banking unions have confirmed they will not report to work. Postal networks have also signalled significant interruptions.
Transport services, including state-run buses, auto-rickshaws, and app‑based cabs, could operate at reduced capacity. Road blockades and protest marches in urban centres are likely to cause gridlock, especially in stronghold union states. Train operations may experience delays in certain regions, as campus protests near railway tracks and stations have hampered services during past bandh events. Stock markets, however, are expected to remain open, with no official holiday declared.
Despite the protest’s scale, schools, colleges, and private offices have not been formally asked to shut. Reports suggest most educational institutions will remain operational, though localised disruptions due to transportation issues are possible. Commuters are advised to monitor local alerts and plan their travel early.
This is not the first nationwide strike of its kind. Earlier major general strikes in 2020 and 2022 saw participation of over 25 crore workers and prompted long march protests by farmers and labour groups in New Delhi. These historical precedents highlight a pattern of repeated worker dissatisfaction and governmental inaction on central labour issues.
Analysts believe this Bharat Bandh reflects broader discontent over a perceived shift toward corporatisation and weakening of labour norms. The unions have accused the government of prioritising business interests over welfare state principles, outsourcing public services, diluting employees’ rights, and neglecting social sector investments.
While the bandh organisers have urged citizens to participate peacefully and stay unified, law enforcement agencies across states, especially in union strongholds, have been put on high alert. Authorities in major cities have announced contingency plans, and security deployments are being increased in protest hotspots.
For the public, key advice includes avoiding unnecessary travel, keeping alternative commuting options in mind, postponing errands linked to banking or postal services, and staying updated via reliable local news. Emergency services and hospitals are expected to continue operating, although access may be slowed by traffic disruptions.
As workers and farmers mobilise on July 9, the outcomes are poised to extend beyond immediate disruptions. This general strike is both a barometer of labour unrest and a test of public grievance going forward. Whether it leads to government dialogue or sparks further protests remains to be seen. For now, the Bharat Bandh stands as a powerful assertion of collective voice and dissent.
Photo Credit: indianexpress.com
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