A massive Bharat Bandh has been called on July 9, 2025, with over 25 crore workers participating in a nationwide strike. Backed by central trade unions and farmers’ groups, the protest is expected to impact transport, banking, and essential services across India.
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Bharat Bandh on July 9: Nationwide Strike Disrupts Services
India is witnessing a massive Bharat Bandh today, July 9, 2025, as over 25 crore workers, farmers, and employees across sectors take part in a nationwide protest. The bandh has been organized by central trade unions and supported by various farmer organizations, employee unions, and student groups.
The strike is expected to cause significant disruption to transportation, banking, government offices, and public services in multiple states including West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra.
Why Was the Bharat Bandh Called?
The primary demands behind the protest include:
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Opposition to labour law reforms and privatization of public sector undertakings (PSUs)
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Rollback of the new electricity amendment bill
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Ensuring minimum support price (MSP) guarantees for farmers
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Reinstating Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees
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Curtailing contractual employment and restoring permanent hiring practices
Trade unions like INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, and AIUTUC, along with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), have collectively spearheaded the bandh, calling it a “People’s Protest Against Anti-Worker and Anti-Farmer Policies.”
Impact on Key Services
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Transport: Several states have reported reduced public transport, taxi, and auto services. Major roads saw protest blockades early in the morning.
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Banking: Bank unions have joined the strike, affecting services like cheque clearance and branch operations.
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Schools & Colleges: Many educational institutions have either declared holidays or shifted to online classes to avoid disruption.
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Markets: Wholesale mandis, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Maharashtra, remain shut in solidarity with farmers.
Security has been tightened in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with additional police deployment to ensure law and order.
Political Reactions and Support
Opposition parties such as Congress, Left Front, and AAP have extended support to the Bharat Bandh, criticizing the central government for ignoring the voices of workers and farmers. In contrast, the ruling BJP has labeled the strike as “politically motivated and disruptive.”
Public Response: Mixed Reactions
While some citizens backed the strike stating it was “necessary to protect workers’ rights,” others expressed frustration over the inconvenience, particularly those reliant on public transport or daily wage earners.
