Bharat Bandh Today highlights: Tamil Nadu-Kerala bus services suspended as trade unions call nationwide strike

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Bharat Bandh Live Updates: Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Thursday, February 12, as a part of their ongoing campaign against the recently announced India-US trade deal.

The nationwide protest has reportedly been chalked out by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC.

SKM governor Hannan Mollah said he disagreed with the deal as he cited adverse repercussions for Indian farmers, accusing the BJP of “surrendering before the shrewdness of the US.”

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: "It is a lamentable irony that today's 'Bharat Bandh' is, in reality, merely another 'Kerala Bandh." While the rest of India has evolved beyond such coercive disruptions, Kerala remains uniquely held hostage by this organised tyranny of the minority over the unorganised majority," Tharoor said in a post on X.

"My stand has been consistent since I entered politics: I support the right to protest, but not the right to obstruct. No Indian has the constitutional right to impede the free movement of another," he added.

"We have driven industry away with our militant unionism; now, by clinging to these antediluvian methods of "muscle power" that forcefully confine citizens as prisoners in their own homes, and oblige shopkeepers to down their shutters, we are ensuring our state remains unwelcoming to youth and enterprise. It is high time we outgrew this self-destructive habit. We can always replace it with constructive dissent," he said.

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: The nationwide strike call given by central trade unions on Thursday against the Centre's labour reforms and economic policies had little impact in Gujarat, with most services and commercial establishments functioning as usual across the state, officials said.

Trade union representatives in Gujarat held demonstrations at a few places, while some employees of public sector banks remained away from work. However, all other things were functioning normally, officials said.

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: Although trade unions staged protests in parts of Jharkhand during the 'Bharat Bandh' on Thursday, protesting against the four new labour codes, normal life largely remained largely unaffected.

The agitators staged demonstrations at the gates of various coal companies and PSUs, as part of the nationwide general strike called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions.

However, markets and business establishments opened and vehicles were plying as usual, reported news agency PTI.

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: The nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh on Thursday witnessed staged protests in different parts of the state, though no untoward incident was recorded, news agency PTI reported citing officials.

D L Karad, state president of Centre of Indian Trade Unions, associated with the CPI (M), said protests were organised seeking withdrawal of the four labour codes brought in by the Centre. Other demands included an end to privatisation of government entities, filling up of vacancies, stopping contractual work and implementation of minimum pay of ₹30,000, he added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir said his party has extended support to the strike call, with its functionaries actively participating in it.

CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole said protests were organised in several areas of his Dahanu constituency in Palghar district, including Talasari.

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Thursday criticised the Centre for bringing in the new labour codes, replacing MNREGA with VB G RAM G scheme and agreeing to a trade deal with the US.

Speaking to news agency PTI, he backed the nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh called by farmers' organisations and trade unions.

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: Apple growers from Himachal Pradesh joined the nationwide farmers and workers’ strike on Thursday, with the Himachal Apple Growers Association extending full support alongside CITU and the Himachal Kisan Sabha.

Protests and demonstrations were organised by local units of the Apple Growers Association across major apple-growing belts of the state at both district and block levels, strengthening the collective demands raised by farmers and workers.

(ANI)

Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Thursday said the labour codes were detrimental to workers’ interests, while addressing a UDF public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram in support of the Bharat Bandh.

(PTI)

Calling the ongoing “Bharat Bandh” a “lamentable irony”, Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said the protest had effectively turned into “merely another ‘Kerala Bandh’”. The leader argued that while other parts of the country have moved beyond disruptive shutdowns, Kerala continues to suffer repeated disruptions.

“It is a lamentable irony that today’s ‘Bharat Bandh’ is, in reality, merely another ‘Kerala Bandh,’” the leader said.

Reiterating a long-held position, the leader added, “I support the right to protest, but not the right to obstruct. No Indian has the constitutional right to impede the free movement of another.”

The statement criticised what it termed “antediluvian methods of ‘muscle power’ that forcefully confine citizens as prisoners in their own homes, and oblige shopkeepers to down their shutters.” It further argued that militant unionism has driven away industry and damaged Kerala’s reputation as an investor-friendly destination.

“The right to strike does not include the right to enforce a shutdown on others,” the leader said, adding that the protest should be a moral statement, not a physical blockade.”

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Members of various trade unions hit the streets in parts of Jharkhand during the 'Bharat Bandh' on Thursday, protesting the four labour codes.

The agitators are staging demonstrations at the gates of various coal companies and PSUs as part of the nationwide general strike, called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions.

Banking, insurance and coal sectors have been affected by the strike, Bank of India (BOI) Employees' Union state Deputy General Secretary Umesh Das said.

Left parties and the Congress have also extended their support to the strike.

"The new labour codes have reduced job security, weakened legal safeguards and increased employers' freedom to hire, adversely affecting the rights and interests of workers," state Congress general secretary Rakesh Sinha said. (PTI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: The nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's policies on Thursday triggered protests in a few districts of Madhya Pradesh, while over 25,000 civilian employees working with defence establishments across the state reported to work an hour late.

The daylong strike is being observed to protest against what the unions described as anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government.

Markets, schools and colleges remained open across the state.

Over 25,000 civilian workers posted at six ordnance factories in MP, the 506 Army Base Workshop, the Central Ordnance Depot and Military Engineer Services reported for duty an hour late as a mark of protest, said S N Pathak, president of All-India Defence Employees Federation.

"We could not observe a complete daylong strike as defence production and related work fall under the essential services category," he said.

Instead of reporting at 8 am, the workers started duty at 9 am, Pathak added. (PTI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: A day-long nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's four new labour codes and alleged anti-worker policies evoked a mixed response in Chhattisgarh on Thursday.

Several nationalised banks remained closed as employees joined the strike. Staff of insurance companies, post offices, along with labourers and farmers, also participated in the agitation, affecting operations in their respective sectors.

Mining activities in the mineral-rich state were partially hit.

However, transport services functioned normally, and shops, markets and most business establishments remained open. Normal life was largely unaffected in many areas, including Durg district, where operations at the Bhilai Steel Plant continued as usual. (PTI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: The nationwide strike call given by central trade unions on Thursday against the Centre's labour reforms and economic policies had little impact in Gujarat, with most services and commercial establishments functioning as usual across the state, officials said.

Trade union representatives in Gujarat held demonstrations at a few places, while some employees of public sector banks remained away from work. However, all other things were functioning normally, officials said.

The 'Bharat Bandh' has been called by a joint forum of central trade unions to show their "resistance to anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government".

Normal life remained largely unaffected in major cities, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot. (PTI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: As part of the nationwide general strike (Bharat Bandh) observed across several states today, government bus services between Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been completely suspended, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling between the two states.

In the Kanyakumari district, passengers heading to Kerala via Tamil Nadu have been severely affected. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are not operating from the Vadasery Bus Stand. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses operate only up to the inter-state border at Kaliakkavilai and do not extend beyond.

Due to the non-operation of Kerala government buses, passengers travelling for essential needs between the two states are facing significant hardship. Many commuters were left stranded as regular inter-state connectivity was disrupted. (ANI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: The nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's policies on Thursday triggered protests in a few districts of Madhya Pradesh, while over 25,000 civilian employees working with defence establishments across the state reported to work an hour late.

The daylong strike is being observed to protest against what the unions described as anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government.

Markets, schools and colleges remained open across the state.

Over 25,000 civilian workers posted at six ordnance factories in MP, the 506 Army Base Workshop, the Central Ordnance Depot and Military Engineer Services reported for duty an hour late as a mark of protest, said S N Pathak, president of All-India Defence Employees Federation. (PTI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has been making his voice heard regarding the India-US trade deal, delivering a message to American President Donald Trump, “talk to us as equals” for a few days now.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget session, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the government over the India-US trade deal and the 2026-27 Union Budget, and accused it of compromising national interests, triggering protests in Lok Sabha and warning of a privilege notice from treasury benches.

Gandhi framed India’s negotiating strength around its people and data. He called Indian data the most valuable geopolitical asset in the 21st century. “In a contest between the United States and China, the single most valuable asset is Indian data. If the Americans want to remain a superpower and protect their dollar, the key to that is Indian data.”

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Congress MP Jebi Mather on Thursday voiced concerns over the India-US Interim Trade Agreement, claiming it has begun affecting domestic sectors, including apple growers in Kashmir, and said the Opposition is raising the issue in Parliament to highlight the impact on people's livelihoods across the country.

"Did you hear the news from Kashmir? The apple growers from Kashmir have already said that their business is affected. There will be similar responses from different sectors in various parts of the country. If all the sectors are going to face such difficulty, then do you expect the Opposition to remain silent? We are speaking for the people. This is the reason Rahul Gandhi ji made a categorical speech in Parliament," Mather said

Earlier today the Opposition MPs staged a protest against the India-US trade deal at the Makar Dwar of Parliament in the national capital.

Terming the agreement as a "trap deal" they staged a protest and held placards.

The opposition also protested in favour of the Bharat Bandh called by trade unions to oppose various central policies. (ANI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Members of various trade unions hit the streets in parts of Jharkhand during the 'Bharat Bandh' on Thursday, protesting the four labour codes.

The agitators are staging demonstrations at the gates of various coal companies and PSUs as part of the nationwide general strike, called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions.

Banking, insurance and coal sectors have been affected by the strike, Bank of India (BOI) Employees' Union state Deputy General Secretary Umesh Das said.

Left parties and the Congress have also extended their support to the strike.

"The new labour codes have reduced job security, weakened legal safeguards and increased employers' freedom to hire, adversely affecting the rights and interests of workers," state Congress general secretary Rakesh Sinha said. (PTI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: CITU workers protest in Thoothukudi as part of nation-wide Bharat bandh, urge govt to withdraw PPP pipeline project across central infrastructure ministries and States/Union Territories.

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: All you need to know

1. Workers and farmers across India participated in a nationwide strike on Thursday, organised by several trade unions and parties to protest against the various central government policies, including labour codes, trade agreements, privatisation policies, and other policies perceived as anti-worker and anti-farmer.
2. In Odisha, the Trade Union Co-Ordination Centre (TUCC) State Committee, along with major unions including the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), and affiliated political parties were seen participating in the strike.
3. Protesters carried banners, raised slogans, and chanted slogans such as "Inquilab Zindabad!" (Long live the revolution), "Shramika Ekta Zindabad!" (Long live workers' unity), "Kendra Sarkar Hosh Mein Aao!" (Central Government, come to your senses), and "Amara Dabi, Purana Hou!" (Fulfill our demands). (ANI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Criticising the Centre over nationwide strikes called by trade unions opposing government policies, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Thursday said the government is working to suppress the voice of the common people.

Speaking to reporters, Yadav said that all the policies being brought up by the Centre are meant to turn people into bonded labourers.

"All these bills are being brought to turn people into bonded labourers; these are against the people, against the interests of the people, this government is working every day to suppress the voice of the common people," he said.

Workers and farmers across India participated in a nationwide strike on Thursday, organised by several trade unions and parties to protest against the various central government policies, including labour codes, trade agreements, privatisation policies, and other policies perceived as anti-worker and anti-farmer. (ANI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Employees and workers associated with a joint forum of central trade unions observed a day-long strike on Thursday to show their "resistance to anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government".

The forum has claimed that 30 crore workers are being mobilised for a "general strike" to protest against the new labour codes, among other issues.

All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told PTI that the general strike started across the country on Thursday morning, and that she has received reports of the agitation from states, including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Odisha and Bihar.

She added that processions have started in industrial areas of New Delhi and that traffic on the roads is relatively light. (PTI)

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Here's what's open amid nationwide strike:

- Emergency services, including hospitals and healthcare facilities, are expected to function normally despite the bandh.

- Ambulance services are likely to operate without interruption to ensure medical emergencies are attended to.

- Air travel and railway services are expected to run, but passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines or the IRCTC app for updates due to possible delays caused by traffic or local disruptions.

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates: Private offices, banks and public transport are likely to remain unaffected as no official notification has been issued.