Bharat Bandh Today: 250 Million Workers and Farmers Protest Against Labour Laws and Privatisation

India is witnessing a massive nationwide strike today as over 250 million workers and farmers from across the country participate in a Bharat Bandh. The strike, organized by major trade unions and farmers’ organizations, is a protest against the government’s allegedly anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies.

The bandh is expected to impact key sectors such as banking, postal services, mining, public transport, and public sector enterprises, disrupting daily life in several regions. The protest has received support from various national and regional organizations, including Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and NREGA Sangharsh Morcha.

What Triggered the Bharat Band hon July 9, 2025?

The strike is largely in response to:

• The central government’s four new labour codes

• Privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSUs)

• Outsourcing and contractual jobs

• Inadequate minimum wages

• Abolition of the Old Pension Scheme

The protesting groups claim these reforms undermine worker protections, favor large corporations, and ignore rural employment demands.

Key Demands of the Protesters

Here’s a breakdown of the primary demands raised by the trade unions and farmers’ groups:

1. Roll back all four labour codes

2. Increase minimum monthly wage to ₹26,000

3. Reinstate the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)

4. Ban on contractual hiring and outsourcing

5. Stop privatisation of PSUs

6. Implement an urban version of MGNREGA for jobless youth

7. Increase MGNREGA wages and number of workdays

8. Introduce fair MSP (Minimum Support Price) for farmers

9. Waive farm loans across the country

10. Fill existing government vacancies and halt re-hiring of retired personnel

11. Increase public spending on education, healthcare, and food security

12. Hold the Indian Labour Conference, pending for over 10 years

These demands highlight the dissatisfaction of both rural and urban working-class communities with current employment, pension, and welfare policies.

Widespread Participation Across Sectors

According to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the strike is expected to include:

• Workers from organised and unorganised sectors

• Employees from banks, insurance, coal mining, highways, construction, steel, and transport

• Public sector staff from companies like NMDC Limited

• State government employees from various departments

AR Sindhu, National Secretary of CITU, stated that “Nearly 25 crore workers may participate in today’s Bharat Bandh. Demonstrations are being held in major industrial zones across the country.”

Farmers’ Groups Extend Support to the Bharat Bandh

Farmer unions, especially Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), All India Agricultural Workers Union, and NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, have extended full support to the bandh. They are demanding:

• MSP Guarantee Law

• Farm loan waivers

• Reforms in rural employment schemes

These groups argue that agricultural distress has worsened due to corporate-friendly policies, leaving marginal farmers and landless labourers vulnerable to exploitation.

Public Services Likely to Be Affected

The nationwide strike is likely to cause major disruptions in:

• Banking services: Many bank branches and ATMs may remain closed or operate with reduced staff.

• Postal services: Delays in deliveries and postal operations are expected.

• Coal mining and steel production: Workers in mineral-rich states have joined the strike.

• Public transport: Bus and train services in some regions may face partial disruption.

• Government offices: Attendance in PSUs and administrative departments is likely to be lower than usual.

BMS Refuses to Join the Strike, Calls It Politically Motivated

Interestingly, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)—a trade union affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—has distanced itself from the protest. BMS has claimed that the bandh is politically driven and not in the best interest of workers at this time.

This division among trade unions reflects ideological differences in addressing labour issues and government policies.

History of Similar Nationwide Strikes

This is not the first time Indian trade unions have called for a nationwide protest. Previous all-India strikes took place on:

• 26 November 2020

• 28–29 March 2022

• 16 February 2024

Each of these protests raised similar issues: opposition to new labour laws, job insecurity, and demands for better social welfare systems.

Union Representatives Speak Out

A trade union spokesperson said:

“Our demands are not new. We submitted memorandums to the Labour Ministry last year, but received no serious response. The government has ignored core issues affecting millions of workers and farmers.”

They also criticized the government for not conducting the Indian Labour Conference for over a decade, which is traditionally the forum where such policy matters are discussed.

Impact on the Economy and Daily Life

While the Bharat Bandh is intended to be peaceful, its economic impact can be significant:

• Loss of productivity in industrial sectors

• Delay in banking transactions and government work

• Commuter inconvenience in urban centers

• Revenue losses for small businesses and traders

However, union leaders argue that short-term disruptions are necessary to ensure long-term rights and welfare of working communities.

The July 9 Bharat Bandh signals a growing wave of dissatisfaction among India’s labour force and rural population. With the 2025 general elections on the horizon, these protests could influence political discourse around employment, social security, and economic equity.

Whether the government opens channels for dialogue or continues its current reform agenda remains to be seen.