Bharat Bandh 2025: 25 Crore Workers Strike Services Disrupted

Bharat Bandh 2025: Why Millions of Indian Workers Went on Nationwide Strike

A nationwide Bharat Bandh (India Shutdown) is taking place across India today, as more than 25 crore (250 million) workers have walked off their jobs to protest against the central government’s policies. This mass protest has affected normal life in many cities, towns, and villages. Public transport has been disrupted, banks are working with fewer staff, and several public offices and services are running slow or are closed.

The strike was called by a group of 10 major central trade unions. It includes workers from government sectors, banks, electricity departments, factories, coal mines, transport services, and more. Even farmers, self-employed women’s groups like SEWA, and informal sector workers have joined hands in this protest.

What is Bharat Bandh and Why Was it Called?

“Bharat Bandh” is a form of protest where workers stop working and businesses shut down to demand action from the government. This time, the workers are unhappy with:

• The new labour laws passed by the Parliament, known as labour codes.
• Increasing privatization of public sector units (government-run companies).
• The growing use of contract workers instead of permanent employees.
• The government’s alleged support of big businesses like Adani and Ambani while ignoring the problems of common workers and farmers.

Union leaders say these new laws are “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate.” They argue that the new labour codes:

• Make it harder for workers to go on strike.
• Increase working hours unfairly.
• Give more power to employers and protect them from being punished for breaking rules.
• Take away basic rights that protect employees at their workplace.

They also say that India is facing unemployment, rising prices, and poor social security, and the government is not doing enough to help.

What Are the Workers Demanding?

The protesting unions had submitted a 17-point charter of demands to the Labour Ministry in 2024. Some of the main demands include:

• Withdrawal of the new labour codes.
• Minimum pension of ₹9,000 per month for all retired workers.
• Job security for all, including contract workers.
• No to privatization of government companies.
• Reduction in working hours and better working conditions.
• Holding the Indian Labour Conference, which has not been conducted for 10 years.

Workers say the government is not listening and acting only in the interest of large private companies.

What Happened Across India Today?

Let’s look at the impact of the strike in different states:

West Bengal:

• Protesters blocked railway tracks in places like Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, and Shyamnagar.
• Roads in towns like Jalpaiguri, Asansol, and Bankura were blocked.
• Shops were closed in Kolkata, and streets looked empty.
• Left parties and trade unions led marches across the city.

Odisha:

• In Bhubaneswar, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked National Highways.
• Public transport was affected.
• Several shops and establishments stayed shut.

Kerala:

• State-run buses (KSRTC) were off the road, even though the government had announced otherwise.
• Most shops and shopping malls remained closed.
• Protesters participated in road shows and rallies.

Bihar:

• Two strikes took place – Bharat Bandh and Bihar Bandh (over electoral roll revisions).
• In Patna, opposition party workers and trade unions came together to block railway lines.
• The INDIA alliance joined the protest and held rallies.

Mumbai & Maharashtra:

• Banks and public services saw low attendance.
• Trains and private offices remained mostly unaffected.
• People faced delays in services like banking and postal delivery.

Bengaluru (Karnataka):

• Public services like electricity, buses, and banks were slowed down.
• Delays in transport caused inconvenience to workers and school children.
• Protests were peaceful but spread in different parts of the city.

Which Services Were Affected Today?

Many important public services were hit across India:

Government’s Response

The government tried to downplay the bandh. The Union Labour Ministry claimed that 213 trade unions had withdrawn from the strike. But the main unions rejected this, calling it “false information” to break the unity of workers.

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal also said the bandh had no impact on trading markets and that business went on as usual. He stated that the “trading community is not supporting this bandh” and prefers to keep working.

Meanwhile, in Kerala, the Transport Minister claimed that KSRTC buses would run, but reports from the ground showed that most buses were off the road.

Who Else Supported the Bandh?

Along with trade unions, the bandh received support from:

• SEWA – Self Employed Women’s Association
• Samyukta Kisan Morcha – the same farmers' union that led the farm law protests
• Left parties and trade unions
• Opposition parties in Bihar and West Bengal
• Workers from both rural and urban areas

A Protest With Deep Roots

This strike is not a one-time event. According to the union forum, today’s Bharat Bandh is the 22nd nationwide general strike since 1991, when India opened its economy to liberalisation.

The anger of workers is deep-rooted. Many say they are working longer hours for less pay and have little protection. With privatization and contract jobs rising, many fear they will lose their job or benefits.

What’s Next?

The Bharat Bandh 2025 has shown that a large section of India’s workforce is unhappy. With 25 crore workers joining from across sectors, the message is clear: India’s workers want to be heard.

It is now up to the government and labour ministry to open a serious dialogue with unions. Peaceful protests like these are part of a healthy democracy. Ignoring them could create more unrest.

For India to progress, both workers and the economy must grow together. Fair laws, job security, and social protections are key to building a better future.