Bharat Bandh Strike Protest: Why banks, buses and post offices may not run as usual tomorrow

Time of India

6 days ago

On Wednesday, India will see what might be one of its biggest general strikes in years. Over 25 crore workers plan to stop work across banks, insurance, post, coal, construction and public transport. They're not just making noise — they're making a point.
The strike, called
Bharat Bandh
, comes from a coalition of 10 major
trade unions
and their allies. They're furious with what they call the government's 'anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies.'
Amarjeet Kaur
of the All India Trade Union Congress put it bluntly: 'More than 25 crore workers are expected to join. Farmers and rural workers will also support the protest.'
Bharat Bandh Strike: Where you'll feel It
Expect queues at banks, delayed cheques, and slower loan clearances. If you're waiting for post, that might take a bit longer too. Coal miners, steel workers, factory staff, highway builders — many are joining in. State buses could run late or stop altogether if drivers and conductors walk out.
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Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from
Hind Mazdoor Sabha
warned that banking, postal, coal mining, factories and state transport would feel the brunt.
Bengaluru, India's tech capital, is likely to be hit hard. With its heavy public sector presence, services could stall in pockets of the city. Many companies are already telling staff to work from home if they can.
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Bharat Bandh Protest: Schools, offices and power
The Karnataka government hasn't declared a holiday for schools or colleges. Most private offices will stay open, but lower attendance is likely if buses stay off roads. App-based cabs and city buses should run, but delays are possible. Power cuts aren't expected but small local disruptions could happen as 27 lakh electricity workers back the protest.
Bharat Bandh Protest: What's pushing workers to strike
So what's behind this? In short: new
labour codes
and a list of old grievances.
The unions say they handed Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya a 17-point charter ages ago. They claim the response was silence. At the heart of the matter are four new labour codes that unions believe will weaken job protections, stretch working hours, make strikes harder, and cripple collective bargaining.
They accuse the government of putting corporate interests first. The forum's statement sums it up: 'The government has abandoned the welfare state status of the country and is working in the interest of foreign and Indian corporates.'
They're angry that India hasn't held its annual labour conference in a decade. They hate that retired staff are being rehired instead of young people, especially in the Railways, NMDC Ltd, steel, and education. With two-thirds of India under 35 and youth unemployment sky-high, that stings.
They're also fuming about rising prices and falling social spending on basics like healthcare and education.
Bharat Bandh: Farmers and rural workers add weight
Backing them are the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and other farm unions. They'll drum up support in rural belts, saying the same economic policies are pushing up prices and gutting welfare schemes.
What are the demands for the Bharat Bandh?
Their demands aren't small. They want the four labour codes scrapped. They want permanent jobs, not casual contracts. They want better wages for MGNREGA workers and similar schemes in cities. They want more spending on public health and schools. And they want the government to fill vacant posts with new hires, not retirees.
Bharat Bandh News: Past strikes and state pushback
This isn't new. Similar strikes rattled India on 26 November 2020, 28-29 March 2022, and 16 February 2023. Each time, the demands have stayed the same: protect workers, stop privatisation, keep the public sector strong.
Some states are trying to stop it. In Tamil Nadu, the chief secretary has warned government staff not to join in or face disciplinary action under conduct rules.
Banks and post might run slow. Coal, factories and transport could stutter. Schools will likely open, but if transport stalls, classrooms may sit half empty. Power blackouts are unlikely but not impossible.
The bigger takeaway? India's workers and farmers are sending a loud message. They feel ignored and they're using the only power they believe they have left — the power to stop work.
If you're in a big city, plan your day with this in mind. If you're a commuter, check twice before stepping out.
This is about jobs, wages and how the country treats the people who keep it running. Watch this space.