Bharat Bandh 9 July: What's open, what's closed? Will schools, banks, offices, train services be affected as 25 cr workers go on strike tomorrow?
Bharat Bandh Tomorrow: A nationwide strike, "Bharat Bandh," is scheduled for July 9, 2025, organized by trade unions and farmer groups protesting pro-corporate and anti-worker government policies. The strike anticipates participation from over 25 crore workers across various sectors, potentially disrupting banking, transport, and public services. Concerns include labor law changes, privatization, and rising rural distress, fueling widespread opposition.
Bharat Bandh 9 July 2025 A nationwide strike has been called on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions along with farmers' and rural workers' organisations. The protest, branded as "Bharat Bandh," aims to oppose the government's policies which the unions describe as pro-corporate and anti-worker. Organisers expect over 25 crore workers to participate across the formal and informal sectors, with farmers and agricultural labourers joining from rural India.The unions involved in the protest include major national bodies such as:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC)
Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC)
Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA)
All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU)
Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)
United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) The strike is expected to affect multiple sectors, including: Banking and financial services
Postal departments
Coal mining and factories
State transport services
Public sector units and government departments Workers from companies like NMDC and various state-run entities in the steel and mineral sectors have confirmed their participation. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from Hind Mazdoor Sabha said the protest would see "strong participation across industries and services, both public and private."However, banking unions have not saperately confirmed about disruption of services due to bandh, but as per bandh organisers financial services will be affected. Bandh organisers said that the strike includes employees from public sector banks and cooperative banking sectors, which may impact banking operations such as branch services, cheque clearance, and customer support in many regions.
Schools, colleges, and private offices are expected to remain open on July 9. However, normal operations may face disruptions in some regions due to transport issues. Public buses, taxis, and app-based cab services could be affected as trade unions and allied groups hold protest marches and road demonstrations in several cities. This may lead to delays or cancellations in local travel and logistical operations. Daily commuters are advised to plan ahead and expect possible traffic diversions and longer travel times.As of now, there is no official announcement about a nationwide railway strike on July 9. However, since large-scale protests and road blockades are expected in several parts of the country, train services may experience delays or disruptions in certain regions.Railway unions have not formally joined the Bharat Bandh , but past such strikes have seen protestors holding demonstrations near railway stations or on tracks, especially in states with strong union presence. This could lead to localised train delays or security measures being stepped up by authorities.Authorities are likely to deploy additional security personnel around key railway hubs to ensure smooth operations and avoid major disruptions. Passengers are advised to check train schedules and plan their travel accordingly.The trade unions claim that their concerns have been consistently ignored. They submitted a 17-point charter of demands to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year, but say there has been no serious response."The government has abandoned the welfare state status of the country. It is working in the interest of foreign and Indian corporates, and it is evident from the policies being pursued vigorously," the union forum stated.They allege the government: Has not conducted the Indian Labour Conference in the last ten years
Is pushing four new labour codes that weaken unions and increase working hours
Is promoting contractual jobs and privatisation
Is ignoring demands for more public sector recruitment and wage hikes
Is offering incentives to employers without tackling youth unemployment
Farmer groups and rural labour organisations have also extended their support. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and agricultural workers' unions plan to mobilise villagers and protest against economic decisions that they claim are worsening rural distress.They allege that government actions are causing: Rising unemployment
Higher prices of essential goods
Cuts in health, education, and welfare spending
Additional concerns raisedThe unions have also raised alarms over: Alleged misuse of constitutional institutions
Laws like the Public Security Bill in Maharashtra, which they claim aim to criminalise protests
Attempts to disenfranchise migrant workers through voter list revisions in Bihar
Threats to citizenship rights According to the forum, the four new labour codes passed by Parliament are designed to 'suppress and cripple the trade union movement, increase working hours, snatch workers' right to collective bargaining, right to strike, and decriminalise violation of labour laws by employers.'The organisers say the July 9 Bharat Bandh will be a unified show of resistance from both industrial and rural India.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- The Hindu
INTUC asks Centre for invitation to tripartite meetings, blames Air India crash on privatisation
The working committee of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the trade union arm of the Congress, which met here on Sunday (July 20, 2025), has resolved to question the Centre's decision not to invite it to various tripartite panels. Pointing to last month's deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad, INTUC said it was proof that the policy of privatisation is a serious threat to the life and safety of the common people. The trade union also favoured the formation of workers' cooperatives against exploitation by online and platform companies. Editorial | Need for a revamp: On the Ahmedabad air crash probe, aviation safety Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who addressed the working committee, said the Centre is doing an injustice to lakhs of workers by not inviting INTUC to tripartite meetings. Claiming that workers are the 'vote bank' of the Congress, he said that the BJP-led government does not care for the welfare of workers. 'Anti-worker policies' The political resolution passed by the committee said that the workers and common people of the country are passing through a difficult situation because of the anti-worker, anti-people policies being pursued by the NDA government at the Centre. 'After it (came) back to power for the third term, the working class are facing serious challenges to all the basic rights of the workers, which include working hours, minimum wages, social security, unionisation, recognition, collective bargaining, agitations and the right to strike,' the resolution said. 'The recent amendment in the Trade Unions Act by the West Bengal Government regarding the the eligibility of office-bearers of the unions of industrial establishments is another threat,' it added. Another resolution said the trade union has been raising the issue of restoration of INTUC representation in various tripartite bodies, including in international fora. 'Since 2017, the INTUC has been denied representation on boards and committees constituted by the Ministry of Labour & Employment and important consultations to discuss even the Labour Codes and representation in International Labour Conferences of the International Labour Organisation, which is a discriminatory attitude towards the INTUC,' the resolution said. Cooperatives for modern times The committee noted that cooperatives can be spaces of mutual aid and collective decision-making, aligned with union values of worker empowerment. Opinion | Steps to reclaiming India's cooperative dream 'Cooperative formation gives access to state support (credit, training, subsidies), which many unions can't avail in their current form. Cooperatives can create sustainable livelihoods, especially for informal workers, gig workers, and platform-based labour where formal unionisation is difficult. In sectors where labour laws do not apply, cooperatives offer a new foothold for organising workers without waiting for legal recognition,' another resolution said. With growing informalisation, growth of gig and platform work, decline of standard employment, changing labour laws, diminishing collective bargaining, and the government's push for 'ease of doing business', trade unions also are adopting innovative organising methods. it added. 'No FIR on AI crash' On the Air India crash, the INTUC said it was unfortunate that no FIR has yet been registered against any responsible person or private operator, nor has any punitive action been taken. 'The lives of the deceased cannot be valued by just giving compensation, especially in those cases where the entire family has perished. The Government has not announced any kind of relief,' the committee said. 'This accident is enough to tell that when the important public services of the country like Airports, Railways, Electricity, Road transport, Health, Security etc. are handed over to private hands, then their purpose becomes only profit-making. Not public service, and security, accountability and transparency become secondary,' it added.
News18
17-07-2025
- News18
Bharat Bandh: Will Schools And Colleges Remain Open Tomorrow?
Bharat Bandh on July 9 may disrupt public services, but schools and colleges are expected to remain open, with no official closure notices issued yet. A major nationwide strike, or Bharat Bandh, has been called for Wednesday, July 9, by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, in collaboration with farmers' and rural workers' organisations. With over 25 crore workers from critical sectors such as banking, transport, postal services, mining, and construction set to participate, the strike is expected to cause widespread disruption in public services. With the strike gaining momentum, many students and parents are wondering whether schools and colleges will remain open. Schools And Colleges To Remain Open Despite the massive scale of the Bharat Bandh, schools, colleges, and private offices are expected to function normally on July 9. Authorities have not announced any closures or exam rescheduling, and no major educational institution has issued a closure notice as of now. While public transport disruptions may cause delays in commuting, educational institutions are not part of the strike, and normal academic activities are likely to continue. Why Is The Bharat Bandh Being Observed? The strike has been called to protest against what organisers describe as 'anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate" policies of the central government. Trade unions allege that recent economic and labour reforms have eroded worker rights, weakened job protections, and ignored the demands of the working class. Who Is Participating? The strike has the backing of several major trade unions, including: Farmers' groups, especially the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, and public sector employees from the railways, NMDC Ltd, and steel industries, are also extending their support. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
17-07-2025
- News18
July 9 Bharat Bandh: Are Schools, Colleges, And Offices Closed In Your State Today?
Students and parents across India are bracing for potential disruptions on July 9, 2025, as 10 major central trade unions and farmers' organisations have jointly called for a Bharat Bandh. The strike is a protest against the central government's policies, which organisers describe as anti-labour, anti-farmer, and overly pro-corporate. The organisers have appealed to over 25 crore workers from sectors, including banking, insurance, coal mining, highways, and construction to participate in the nationwide shutdown. Protesters are opposing issues such as privatisation of the public sector, contract-based employment, and other recent economic reforms. In contrast, most other states, including Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, are expected to keep educational institutions open. However, transport delays and road blockages could affect students' ability to attend school. Parents and students are advised to check with their individual schools or colleges for specific instructions. 5/9 Services that are likely to be disrupted include banking where operations may be disrupted as employees of public sector banks plan to strike. Customers are encouraged to use digital banking options and plan transactions in advance.
