A sweeping general strike called by ten central trade unions, backed by farmers’ and rural workers’ groups, is expected to stall essential services across the country on Wednesday. The call for a Bharat Bandh comes in response to what organisers term as “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies of the Central government.
Over 25 crore workers from diverse sectors, public transport, banking, postal services, mining, and electricity, are anticipated to abstain from work, bringing public services to a virtual standstill. With lakhs of employees rallying behind the movement, banks, insurance companies, government offices and even power grids may witness significant disruptions.
"The government has ignored our 17-point demand list and hasn't even called the annual labour conference in the last 10 years," said Amarjeet Kaur of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in a statement.
Despite no official holiday having been declared, banking operations are expected to suffer. The Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association, affiliated with the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), confirmed participation, stating that both banking and insurance workers would be on strike. ATMs may run dry, and financial transactions could be delayed.
Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha said, “The Bharat Bandh will be disrupting services across the country. Banking, postal, coal mining, factories, state transport services will be affected due to the strike.”
Coal production, steel plants and other industrial sectors are expected to bear the brunt, as workers from major public sector undertakings such as NMDC Ltd and allied units have declared support.
Power supply may also be affected, with over 27 lakh electricity sector employees projected to join the protest, raising concerns over blackouts in some areas.
Train services, while not officially part of the strike, may be hit by logistical delays and demonstrations along key routes. The Railways have issued no formal advisory but are reportedly monitoring the situation.
The protest has garnered support beyond formal workforce sectors. Informal workers, members of the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), and rural communities are also expected to participate, adding volume and visibility to the resistance.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which spearheaded the earlier protest against the repealed farm laws, has lent its weight to the movement. Demonstrations in agrarian belts are expected to coincide with rallies in urban centres.
Also read: Over 25 cr workers likely to participate in Bharat Bandh on Wed
At the heart of the unrest lies a strong opposition to the Centre’s four newly enacted labour codes. Trade unions argue that these laws dilute workers’ rights, increase working hours, and reduce employer accountability for labour law violations. The shift towards contractual labour, outsourcing and privatisation of public assets has further fuelled resentment among organised labour.
Participating trade unions include:
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
- Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
- Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
- Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA)
- Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)
- United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
Farmer organisations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, and other rural labour platforms have also pledged solidarity, underlining the broad spectrum of discontent.
This is not the first instance of such coordinated action. Previous general strikes in 2020, 2022, and 2024 had similarly paralysed services and triggered widespread debates on labour reforms and economic policy.
The Centre has yet to formally respond to Wednesday’s protest. As millions prepare to walk off work, the strike is being viewed as a crucial moment in India’s continuing struggle between labour rights and economic liberalisation.
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