On July 9, 2025, India experienced significant disruptions due to a nationwide strike, termed “Bharat Bandh,” organized by a coalition of 10 central trade unions and supported by over 25 crore workers. The strike, backed by farmers and rural workers’ organizations, protested against the central government’s policies, including new labor codes, privatization of public sector enterprises, and rising inflation. Major cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Kerala, faced disruptions in banking, transportation, postal services, and industrial operations, impacting businesses and stock markets. This report details the strike’s causes, impacts, and implications for India’s economic and political landscape.
Background
The Bharat Bandh on July 9, 2025, marks the 22nd general strike in India since the introduction of neoliberal policies in 1991, with previous strikes occurring on November 26, 2020, March 28–29, 2022, and February 16, 2024. Organized by a joint forum of central trade unions, including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, and SEWA, alongside the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the strike aimed to address a 17-point demand charter submitted to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in 2024. The unions accuse the government of pursuing “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies, exacerbating unemployment, wage stagnation, and inequality.
Key Developments
Reasons for the Strike
The trade unions outlined several grievances fueling the Bharat Bandh:
- New Labor Codes: The four labor codes passed by Parliament are criticized for extending working hours, weakening trade union rights, limiting collective bargaining, and decriminalizing employer violations of labor laws.
- Privatization of Public Sector Units: The unions oppose the privatization of state-run enterprises like NMDC, steel, and coal mining sectors, claiming it threatens job security and promotes contract labor.
- Rising Unemployment and Inflation: With 65% of India’s population under 35 and high unemployment among the 20–25 age group, the unions demand job creation, a minimum wage of ₹26,000, and the restoration of the old pension scheme.
- Neglect of Labor Conferences: The government has not held the annual Indian Labour Conference for a decade, ignoring worker grievances.
- Rural Distress: Farmers and rural workers, supported by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, joined the strike to protest cuts in education, healthcare, and welfare schemes like MGNREGA.
Scale and Participation
Over 25 crore workers from both formal and informal sectors participated, including employees from banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, highways, construction, and power sectors. The strike saw significant rural participation, with farmers and agricultural laborers staging rallies across India. In Bihar, a parallel bandh by the INDIA Bloc, led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, protested voter list revisions, adding to regional disruptions.
Disruptions Across Sectors
The Bharat Bandh caused widespread disruptions in major cities:
- Banking and Finance: Public sector and cooperative banks faced interruptions in branch services, cheque clearance, and customer support. In Bengaluru, unions like the All India Bank Employees Association supported the strike, impacting operations.
- Transportation: Public transport, including buses and taxis, was severely affected in Kerala, Odisha, and West Bengal. In Kerala, private and state-run buses stayed off the roads, stranding passengers. Train services faced delays in West Bengal and Bihar due to protests near railway stations, though no official railway strike was announced.
- Postal and Industrial Sectors: Postal services experienced delays, while coal mining and steel production saw reduced output due to worker participation.
- Stock Markets: While stock markets remained open, trading volumes dipped as investor sentiment was affected by disruptions and protests. The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty saw intraday volatility, with sectors like banking and logistics underperforming.
- Commercial Establishments: In Kerala, shops and businesses in cities like Ernakulam and Kottayam remained closed. In West Bengal’s Siliguri, markets were deserted amid heavy police presence.
Regional Impact
- Kerala: The state, under Left rule, saw near-total participation, with shops, businesses, and educational institutions shut. Public transport was halted, impacting tourism and commerce.
- West Bengal: Protests turned violent in Howrah, with police resorting to lathicharges after clashes with Left-backed workers. Rail and road blockades disrupted services in Diamond Harbour, Shyamnagar, and Jadavpur.
- Bengaluru: Banking and postal services were hit, though metro and air travel remained largely unaffected. Commuters faced delays due to road protests.
- Hyderabad: Over 1,000 CITU members marched, disrupting arterial roads. Daily-wage workers joined protests, highlighting labor concerns.
- Odisha and Bihar: Highway blockades in Bhubaneswar and train track protests in Jehanabad caused significant disruptions.
Exceptions
- Essential Services: Hospitals, emergency services, and police operations functioned normally, though road access was occasionally disrupted.
- Schools and Private Offices: Most schools, colleges, and private businesses remained open, except in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, where transport issues led to closures.
- Stock Markets: No trading holiday was declared, and markets operated, albeit with reduced activity.
Challenges and Controversies
- Violence and Clashes: In West Bengal, clashes between Left-wing activists and police in Howrah and other districts led to heightened security. Kolkata police extinguished fires set by protesters.
- Mixed Response: A BJP MP claimed the bandh was a “massive flop,” with markets open in many areas. However, urban and industrial hubs reported significant disruptions, contradicting this narrative.
- Government Response: The unions criticized the government’s lack of dialogue, noting the absence of labor conferences and ignored demands. The government has not issued an official response to the strike as of July 9.
Implications for Businesses and Markets
The Bharat Bandh disrupted supply chains, logistics, and financial services, particularly in urban centers. The banking sector’s limited operations affected cash flow for small businesses, while transport disruptions delayed goods movement. The stock market’s volatility reflected investor caution amid political and economic unrest. Long-term, the strike highlights tensions between labor and government policies, potentially impacting India’s business environment and foreign investment. The Sensex and Nifty, while resilient, may face pressure if such protests persist, especially in sectors reliant on public infrastructure.
The Bharat Bandh on July 9, 2025, underscored deep-seated grievances among India’s workers and farmers, with over 25 crore participants protesting labor codes, privatization, and inflation. The strike disrupted banking, transportation, and industrial sectors, affecting businesses and stock markets in major cities. While essential services and private offices largely continued, the scale of participation signals significant public discontent. The government’s response to the unions’ 17-point demands will be critical in shaping labor relations and economic stability. As India navigates its growth trajectory, addressing these concerns could mitigate future disruptions and foster inclusive development.
