Here’s what you need to know about the Bharat Bandh on Wednesday, July 9, 2025:
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📅 Why and Who
Called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions—including AITUC, CITU, INTUC, HMS, SEWA, among others—along with farmer and rural workers’ groups .
Around 250–260 million workers are expected to participate .
The protest addresses grievances over “anti-worker, anti-farmer, pro-corporate” policies, dilution of labour rights, delays in annual labour conferences, and demands such as more job creation and enhancements to MGNREGA/urban job guarantees .
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🔧 Sectors Affected
Likely to be disrupted:
Banking & insurance: banks will remain open but expect widespread disruptions due to staff participation .
Postal services, coal mining, public sector units, factories, state-run transport (buses, highways) .
Power sector: as over 27 lakh power workers are joining .
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✔️ What’s Remaining Operational
Schools & colleges: No official holiday; expected to remain open .
Private offices: Likely to function normally.
Railways: No official strike announced, but commuters may still face delays .
Emergency services (hospitals, ambulances) and markets/shops remain exempt and operational .
🛑 What is Bharat Bandh?
A nationwide general strike called by a coalition of 10 central trade unions — including AITUC, INTUC, CITU, HMS, SEWA, and others — alongside farmers’ and rural workers’ groups such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha .
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📌 Why is this bandh being called?
Union leaders and allied groups are protesting the central government’s economic and labor policies, arguing they are **“anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate”** . Their key grievances include:
New labor codes that they feel dilute workers’ rights and weaken collective bargaining
A decade-long delay in convening the Indian Labour Conference
Rising unemployment and inflation
Cuts in public sector hiring and welfare spending (health, education, civic amenities)
Privatization of public services/reliance on contract employment
A 17-point charter of demands submitted last year to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya that remains unaddressed
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🌾 Who’s participating?
Over 250 million (25 crore) workers from both formal and informal sectors — banks, postal services, coal mining, construction, and state transport .
Farmer and rural labour unions mobilizing in support, highlighting concerns around inflation, employment, and agrarian distress .
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🔍 Bottom line
Tomorrow’s Bharat Bandh is a huge, organized protest aimed at forcing the government to address long-standing labor and agrarian concerns. Expect disruptions in banks, public transport, coal mining, postal services, and public sector units. Schools, private offices, emergency services, and stock markets are likely to remain open.
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