Bharat Bandh brings India to a grinding halt as over 25 crore workers strike

India witnessed massive disruptions as over 25 crore workers from across the country joined a nationwide strike, or Bharat Bandh, called by a coalition of 10 central trade unions. The strike, which began in the early hours of July 9, has crippled public transport, paralyzed essential services, and triggered street protests in several states.

The unions are protesting what they describe as the Central government’s "anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate" policies. The protesters blocked railway tracks, stalled buses, shut down government departments, and brought coal mines and factories to a standstill in various regions.

Services disrupted, protests spread

The bandh severely affected sectors like banking, postal services, insurance, coal mining, and state-run transport corporations. While cab and metro services continued in most urban centers, state-run buses in many regions operated at reduced capacity amid fear of violence. Schools, colleges, and most private businesses, however, remained open.

Protesters were seen blocking national highways in Odisha and railway tracks in Bihar and West Bengal. In West Bengal’s Jadavpur, train services were halted as demonstrators squatted on the tracks. Bus drivers in North Bengal wore helmets as a precautionary measure, highlighting the tense atmosphere.

In Kerala, the shutdown was near total in districts like Kottayam, where shops and malls stayed shut in solidarity. Meanwhile, Odisha’s Khordha District witnessed highway blockades as trade union members took to the streets.

Workers demand justice, Govt defends reform

The striking unions accuse the Centre of ignoring workers' rights and bypassing democratic consultations. They claim the government has not convened the annual labor conference for over a decade, despite being presented with a 17-point charter of demands last year.

At the core of the protest is the contentious consolidation of 44 labor laws into four labor codes. While the government argues the move simplifies compliance and enhances worker protection, unions fear it dilutes job security, weakens collective bargaining, and hands disproportionate power to employers.

Mixed state response

While the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal mandated attendance for all state employees, it also deployed extra buses to ease commuter movement. Similar measures were taken in other states to prevent a complete breakdown of services.

Despite assurances that emergency services — such as hospitals, police, and fire stations —would remain unaffected, public life in several states remained on edge.

As the day-long strike plays out across the nation, the Bharat Bandh signals rising worker unrest and deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the direction of India’s labor reforms — setting the stage for a sharper political and social showdown in the months ahead.