The ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions (CTUs) and their associates, on Wednesday was peaceful and it evoked a mixed response from across the country amid incidents of rail and road blockades in parts of West Bengal, blocking of the train tracks at Jehanabad railway station in Bihar while the strike saw near-total compliance in Kerala.
The ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their associates on Wednesday evoked a mixed response from across the country amid incidents of rail and road blockades in parts of West Bengal and Bihar, while the strike saw near-total compliance in Kerala.
The ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions (CTUs) and their associates, on Wednesday was peaceful and it evoked a mixed response from across the country amid incidents of rail and road blockades in parts of West Bengal, blocking of the train tracks at Jehanabad railway station in Bihar while the strike saw near-total compliance in Kerala.
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However, the ‘Bharat Bandh’ did not evoke much response in the national capital and there was no effect of the strike on any commercial markets across the city.
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The protests remained peaceful across the country, except in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where the protestors clashed with the police, after which some were detained.
As a result of ‘Bharat Bandh’, banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, public transport, and industrial production were affected in many parts of the country. Though schools, private offices, and most train services remained functional, isolated disruptions were reported.
In Madhya Pradesh, nearly 40,000 bank employees across the state took part in the nationwide protest called by various labour unions and organisations. The bank strike was observed on the call of the All India Bank Employees’ Association, All India Bank Officers’ Association, and Bank Employees’ Federation of India.
The nationwide general strike was called by the joint forum of 10 central trade unions, alleging that the central government is pushing “pro-corporate” policies. The unions were opposing four new labour codes passed by Parliament, stating these weaken workers’ rights, limit the right to strike, increase working hours, and dilute employer accountability.
Protesters have demanded scrapping the codes, setting a minimum monthly wage of Rs 26,000, and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
They also demanded a halt to the privatisation of public sector units, the curbing of job outsourcing, and an end to contract-based employment practices, which they argue threaten job security and fair wages.
Over ten central Trade Unions, backed by farmer groups and rural worker organisations, launched a general shutdown in protest against the Centre’s alleged “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies.
The organisations which joined the nationwide general strike include 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 the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).
Major farmer groups like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and public sector employees from the Railways, NMDC Ltd, and steel industries also participated in the strike.
During the ‘Bharat Bandh’, the clash broke out between Trinamool Congress (TMC) members and Trade Union Leaders over ‘Bharat Bandh’ in Naxalbari. In West Bengal, left parties’ trade Unions participated in the nationwide general strike, alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers’ rights.
In Tamil Nadu, around 50 Left-wing activists attempted a rail blockade at Korukkupet in Chennai, demanding wage hikes and price control measures. Protests were also reported from Guindy and Anna Salai. Police detained some individuals after brief altercations with the officials.
In Puducherry, a complete shutdown was observed as trade unions and parties of the INDIA bloc spearheaded the protest with a 21-point demand list, including scrapping of the new labour laws and measures to tackle youth unemployment.
Meanwhile, West Bengal witnessed scattered disruptions, with rail and road blockades seen in places like Lalgola, Durgapur, Domjur, and Bandel. In Kolkata’s Jadavpur and Lake Town areas, tyres were burnt and traffic came to a halt.
There were minor scuffles between police and protesters as law enforcement tried to disperse crowds blocking roadways and rail tracks. Rail services from the Sealdah division were also affected.
In Kerala, a state governed by the Left, the strike saw near-total compliance. Shops, offices, markets, and educational institutions remained shut.
Barring Delhi, public transportation was disrupted in various parts of the country following the ‘Bharat Bandh’ protests.
However, bus services continued to operate in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, despite the Bharat Bandh protests.
Public transport, including buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), stayed off the roads despite the Transport Minister’s assurances.
Normal life was hit in Kerala’s Ernakulam district with public transport and commercial establishments shut in the nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ by the combine of trade unions.
Supporters of the strike blocked Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses from Ernakulam to Kozhikode. Many travellers were seen waiting at the bus stops, unable to get buses.
Left parties’ trade unions joined the ‘Bharat Bandh’, alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers’ rights.
Members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) students’ wing blocked the train tracks at Jehanabad railway station in Bihar, supporting the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by the joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates.
The trade unions have alleged that the central government is implementing reforms that weaken workers’ rights.
In Odisha, members of the Khordha District unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway at Bhubaneswar to support the ‘Bharat Bandh’.
In Kerala, shops and shopping malls in Kottayam remain closed in support of the ‘Bharat Bandh’.
In West Bengal, train services were affected as protesters blocked tracks at various railway stations, including Jadavpur.
Bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were seen wearing helmets on duty, a move initiated to ensure their safety.
The state-run public transport authority has distributed helmets to drivers operating on various routes, except in the Darjeeling Hills region.
In West Bengal, left parties’ trade unions joined the ‘Bharat Bandh’ alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers’ rights.
Defying police presence, members of the Left parties’ union entered Jadavpur railway station to block the railway tracks to mark their protest against the central government’s “pro-corporate” policies.
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