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Bharat Bandh Today: Multiple trade unions have called for a one-day Bharat Bandh on Wednesday. An estimated 25 crore workers from across the country are expected to take part in the strike. The workers participating in the strike come from various sectors, including farmers and agricultural labourers, banking and insurance, postal services, coal mining, highways, and construction.

The protest, led by major trade unions and sectoral federations, has been called to highlight issues such as inflation, unemployment, privatisation, erosion of social security, and the weakening of workers’ rights. The shutdown was announced by a coalition of 10 central trade unions and is backed by rural labour organisations and farmers. The aim is to challenge what they describe as the government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policy.”

The bandh is being led by a forum of ten main unions, including the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), and several others. Farmers and rural labour groups like Samyukta Kisan Morcha will also join the strike.

In a joint press release issued ahead of the protest, trade unions explicitly mentioned banks among the sectors whose unions have served strike notices. Steel, banks, LIC, GIC, BSNL, telecom, public transport, and various private sector establishments—unions from all these sectors have issued strike notices.

The unions allege that over the past 10 years, the government has aggressively pursued pro-corporate, anti-worker policies that have:

Deepened unemployment and inflation

Undermined public services like education, health, transport, and social security

Favoured privatisation and contractualisation across sectors

The statement also criticises the government for:

Ignoring objections to the new labour codes

Pushing the National Monetisation Pipeline

Diluting food, pension, and job security for common citizens

The unions are demanding:

Reversal of the four labour codes

Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme

Legal guarantee of MSP for farmers

Secure employment, fair wages, and better working conditions

Strengthening of public education, health and food systems

Who is participating?

According to the press release by INTUC, unions from a wide range of sectors have joined the call:

Railways

Coal and mineral mining

Steel

Banking

LIC and GIC

BSNL and telecom

Public transport

Education and healthcare

Workers in MNREGA, anganwadi, ASHA, mid-day meal, and gig economy

Construction and private sector workers

Support has also come from student groups, youth organisations, teachers’ associations, women’s collectives, and social movements.

Given that bank unions have served strike notices, services at several public sector banks may be affected. The extent of impact could vary based on region and level of participation.

The unions stated that today’s protest is not just a one-off action, but a part of a larger campaign against the government’s policies. They plan to intensify the movement post-July 9 through further mobilisation and outreach. The unions have called upon the people of India to join the protest and support what they describe as a "nationalist and people-centric campaign."

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