July 9, 2025
Nationwide Bharat Bandh (India Shutdown)
 |
| BHARAT BANDH |
India Shutdown by Joint alliance of central trade unions, farmer bodies, and rural labor associations
India witnessed a massive countrywide shutdown on July 9, 2025, as over 250 million (25 crore) workers and farmers participated in a Bharat Bandh, protesting against policies they called pro-corporate and anti-worker. The strike aimed to challenge rising privatization, changes in labor codes, the erosion of public sector jobs, and the ongoing agrarian crisis. It was more than a protest—it was a wake-up call to the government.
The strike was supported by a large number of organizations, including:
-
10 Central Trade Unions:
INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC
-
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other farmer organizations
-
Participation from rural workers and agricultural labor groups
Notably, BMS (Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh) did not support the bandh.
Wimbledon 2025: A Tournament of New Legends and Historic Firsts
Key Demands of the Protest
The strike was based on a 17-point charter of demands. Key highlights include:
-
Withdrawal of the four new labor codes, which are considered anti-worker.
-
Halt to privatization of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and national assets.
-
Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and filling up all government vacancies.
-
Fixing a minimum wage of ₹26,000 for all workers.
-
Legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers.
-
Full compliance with ILO Conventions 87 and 98 related to labor rights.
-
Increase MGNREGA workdays from 100 to 200 per year.
Ground-Level Impact – What Was Open, What Was Shut?
| Sector | Impact |
|---|
| Banking Services | Major disruption in public sector banks; thousands of crores worth of transactions halted. |
| Public Transport | Buses and autos were off the roads in many states like Kerala, Odisha, and West Bengal. |
| Railways | No direct participation by railway unions, but services were affected in some areas. |
| Industrial Production | Coal mines, LPG plants, and oil refineries saw operational pauses. |
| Educational Institutions | Schools and colleges remained open in urban areas; many rural schools stayed closed. |
| Essential Services | Hospitals, pharmacies, and ambulances continued operating normally. |
On the Ground – Police Action and Protests
-
In Tamil Nadu, over 30,000 protestors were detained.
-
Highways and roads were blocked in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam.
-
Additional police forces were deployed in sensitive areas like Howrah and Jadavpur.
-
Minor clashes were reported between police and protestors in some districts.
What Lies Ahead?
-
The central government has not released any official statement in response to the strike.
-
Trade unions have warned that if demands are ignored, protests will intensify.
-
The strike is being viewed as a turning point in India’s labor and rural resistance history.
Verified Sources: Associated Press (AP News), NDTV, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, LiveMint, Times of India, Navbharat Times
No comments:
Post a Comment