Bharat Bandh – July 9, 2025: Nationwide Strike by Trade Unions and Workers
On July 9, 2025, India is set to witness a major nationwide general strike, commonly known as Bharat Bandh. Called by a joint platform of central trade unions, the bandh is expected to affect various sectors such as banking, transport, electricity, postal services, and more. Over 25 crore workers and employees are estimated to participate in the strike, making it one of the largest worker mobilizations in recent times. The protest is primarily against the government's labor, economic, and privatization policies, which trade unions claim are anti-worker and anti-poor.
This article provides a detailed overview of the Bharat Bandh – its background, demands, sectors affected, legal basis, and its relevance in the broader socio-political context.
What is Bharat Bandh?
"Bharat Bandh" literally means "India Shutdown". It refers to a countrywide strike or mass protest where services, transport, and businesses are disrupted. Bharat Bandhs are usually organized by political parties, trade unions, farmers' associations, or civil society groups to express dissent against government policies or demand urgent attention to critical issues.
In this case, the bandh has been called by ten major central trade unions and backed by various federations representing bank employees, electricity workers, state and central government employees, and rural laborers.
Who is Leading the Protest?
The following central trade unions have jointly called the bandh:
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
- Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
- Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
- Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
- All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC)
- Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC)
- Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)
- United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
- Independent federations of bank, postal, railway, and electricity workers
These unions claim that the government's recent policies have led to wage stagnation, job insecurity, privatization of public sector units, and erosion of labor rights.
Key Demands of the Bharat Bandh
The trade unions have submitted a 17-point charter of demands to the government. The major demands include:
- Withdrawal of the four labor codes which allegedly dilute the rights of workers.
- Stop privatization of public sector undertakings (PSUs) like banks, insurance, railways, and electricity boards.
- Legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.
- Increase in minimum wage to ₹26,000 per month for all workers.
- Pension for all, including informal sector workers.
- Strengthening of MGNREGA and its extension to urban areas with increased wages and workdays.
- Job security and regularization of contractual and scheme-based workers like ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, etc.
- Reversal of fixed-term employment provisions and restoration of the right to strike.
- Universal public health and education system with increased budget allocations.
- End to anti-labor and anti-farmer reforms.
Sectors Likely to Be Affected
1. Banking and Financial Services
Major banking unions such as AIBEA and BEFI are part of the strike. Services like cheque clearing, account transactions, and customer support will be delayed or halted in many regions. ATMs may remain functional, but back-end operations will be affected.
2. Postal and Insurance Services
Postal employees have extended support; mail delivery and counter services will be affected. Insurance workers under LIC and other PSUs will participate.
3. Public Transport
Buses operated by state road transport corporations may not run in some states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Cabs and auto services may also be less available in metro cities due to solidarity strikes.
4. Power Sector
The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) and other associations are supporting the bandh. Local outages or slowdowns in maintenance services may occur.
5. Railways
While there is no official railway strike, track blockades or “rail roko” protests may happen at some places. Train services might face delays due to protest activities at railway stations.
6. Schools, Colleges and Universities
Some educational institutions may remain closed, especially in states where trade unions have stronger presence. In other areas, institutions may stay open but see reduced attendance.
7. Healthcare Services
Emergency medical services will function, but outpatient departments (OPDs) in some government hospitals may be affected due to participation by nursing and paramedical staff.
Government’s Response
The central government has not accepted the unions' demands so far. It maintains that the new labor codes are designed to simplify laws and bring uniformity and ease of doing business. Public sector reform, including strategic disinvestment, is necessary to improve efficiency and reduce fiscal burden. Welfare schemes like PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, and e-Shram portal are efforts to support workers and farmers. However, unions argue that there has been no meaningful consultation with stakeholders and the policies favor corporates over workers.
Legal and Constitutional Context
The right to strike is not a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution, but it is considered a legitimate form of protest in a democracy. Article 19(1)(c) guarantees the right to form associations and unions. However, various Supreme Court judgments have clarified that government employees do not have an absolute right to strike, especially when it disrupts essential services. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 also lays down the legal procedure for a valid strike.
Economic Impact
Nationwide strikes often lead to:
- Loss of productivity in public sector enterprises
- Disruption in supply chains, transport and banking
- Delays in financial transactions
- Uncertainty for investors and markets
However, they also serve as a pressure mechanism for workers to voice grievances and seek redressal. Economists argue that repeated strikes highlight gaps in policy dialogue between government and labor bodies.
Previous Bharat Bandhs
- Bharat Bandh 2020–2021: Massive protests by farmers against the three farm laws.
- Bank strike in March 2021: Opposed the privatization of public sector banks.
- All India General Strike 2016: Over 15 crore workers protested against labor reforms.
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UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 2 – Governance, Constitution, Polity
- Role of pressure groups and trade unions
- Fundamental rights and restrictions
- Government’s labor and economic policies
GS Paper 3 – Economy, Employment
- Labor laws and reforms
- Informal sector employment
- MGNREGA and rural livelihoods
Essay / Ethics Paper
- Rights vs Responsibilities in democracy
- Ethical governance and social justice
- Collective bargaining and fair labor practices
Possible Mains Questions
- Discuss the impact of recent labor reforms on organized and unorganized workers in India.
- Examine the constitutional limits on the right to strike in the context of essential public services.
- Do general strikes like Bharat Bandh contribute to democratic accountability? Substantiate.
Conclusion
The Bharat Bandh of July 9, 2025, is not just another strike; it is a reflection of deep-rooted concerns among India’s working class about job security, wage stagnation, and policy neglect. While its immediate impact may be disruption, its long-term significance lies in reminding policymakers that inclusive growth must prioritize labor welfare and democratic dialogue. As India continues to reform its economy, ensuring consultation, social justice, and protection of worker rights remains a fundamental necessity. Bharat Bandh serves as a powerful reminder of this balance between progress and people.
