Bharat Bandh: Chaos in Bengal, Kerala; Delhi, Mumbai unaffected

The nationwide strike on Wednesday disrupted banking, transport and other public sector services as thousands of workers joined the Bharat Bandh today.

Bharat Bandh today: Bank employees shout slogans against privatization of public sector banks during a country-wide strike in Mumbai, (AP)

Bharat Bandh: Over 25 crore workers across public services took part in a nationwide strike on Wednesday against the Centre's ‘pro-corporate’ policies. The Bharat Bandh has been called by the trade unions across the country, in order to protest against the Centre's “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national pro-corporate policies."...Read More

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• 9 Jul 2025, 09:29:34 PM IST

  Live updates to this blog have ended.

• 9 Jul 2025, 09:24:59 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Sporadic violence reported in West Bengal amid nationwide strike

  Reports of sporadic violence from various pockets in West Bengal and the opposition Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, merging its protests against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls with the trade union opposition to the Centre’s labour policies, formed the highlights of the nationwide general strike fallout in eastern India.

• 9 Jul 2025, 08:38:58 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Workers, farmers and bank employees rally in Shimla

  As part of the nationwide strike called by central trade unions and farmer organisations, workers across Himachal Pradesh joined protests at district and block headquarters, bringing public services to a near halt in several areas, including the state capital, Shimla, ANI reported.

• 9 Jul 2025, 08:05:36 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Bihar MP Pappu Yadav on National strike

  On Bihar Bandh, Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav, said, “Can the election commission determine the citizenship? PM Modi has been in power for 11 years; did he win with the wrong votes? Was the voting process wrong after the independence until now? If we were born here, then why are they asking for our birth certificates? That data is already registered in the hospital.”

• 9 Jul 2025, 07:26:44 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Trade unions' strike affects coal, banking sectors in Jharkhand

  Trade unions in Jharkhand claimed that coal, banking and other sectors were affected by the nationwide strike called to oppose the central government's policies, including the four new labour codes, PTI reported.

• 9 Jul 2025, 06:49:30 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: What did Rahul Gandhi say in Bihar rally?

  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and other opposition leaders on Wednesday joined a state-wide bandh in Bihar against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

  Speaking at the Bihar Bandh rally, Rahul Gandhi said, "The way there was vote theft in the Maharashtra elections, a similar attempt is being made in Bihar."

• 9 Jul 2025, 06:21:20 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: BJP says ‘opposition trying to pressure judiciary with strike in Bihar’

  The BJP on Wednesday lashed out at the opposition parties for holding a bandh in the state against the exercise and asked if they want illegal infiltrators, including Rohingyas, to vote in elections.

  Addressing a press conference here, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned the motive behind the strike, asking the opposition parties if they are trying to pressure the judiciary by such tactics.

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:54:43 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: CPI(M) claims general strike by trade unions received overwhelming response Bengal 

  The CPI(M) on Wednesday claimed that the general strike or the Bharat Bandh called by 10 central trade unions and supported by the Left parties received an overwhelming response from the working classes in West Bengal.

  State CPI(M) secretary Mohammed Salim claimed that the banking, insurance, transportation sectors and factory workers overwhelmingly participated in the strike, PTI reported.

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:42:29 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Markets in Delhi remain open amid nationwide strike

  Markets across the national capital remained open on Wednesday despite a nationwide strike call given by several trade unions to press for a 17-point charter of demands, including labour rights and social security reforms, PTI reported.

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:03:10 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Congress' Randeep Surjewala slams Centre over jobs

  Bharat Bandh today: AICC in-charge for Karnataka and Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala voiced strong support for the Bharat Bandh in Bengaluru on Wednesday, citing massive participation from workers and farmers across the country.

  “Today Bharat Bandh has been called by 10 trade unions including (INTUC) Indian National Trade Union Congress, including C2 Seva, UTUC, along with dozens of others… Over 25 crore workers and farmer unions are participating,” Surjewala told reporters in Bengaluru.

  Taking a swipe at the BJP, he added, “BJP's new translation is B for ‘Band Karo’, J for ‘Jobs Chheeno’ and P for ‘Phasad Karvao’.”

  He also criticised the government over unemployment, saying, “The principal issue is there are no jobs for the young in the country – 30 lakh jobs are vacant, but the government refuses to fill them… The unemployment rate has crossed 30% and at a 45-year high… Budget of MNREGA has stagnated.”

• 9 Jul 2025, 04:28:02 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Former CM V Narayanasamy, others detained in Puducherry

  Bharat Bandh today: Dozens of protesters, including former chief minister V Narayanasamy, were detained in Puducherry on during the Bharat Bandh protests called by 10 central trade unions, reported news agency PTI.

  Privately operated buses, autos, and tempos stayed off the roads as part of the strike opposing the Centre’s policies, including the implementation of four new labour codes.

• 9 Jul 2025, 04:09:52 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Trade unions stage protests in Odisha

  Bharat Bandh today: Ten central trade unions staged a protest in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday as part of the nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’, alleging that the Centre's economic reforms are weakening workers' rights. The Biju Janata Dal’s trade union wing, Biju Shramik Samukhya, joined the demonstration. The Congress also extended its support to the protest.

• 9 Jul 2025, 03:04:59 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: AICCTU stages protest at Delhi' Jantar Mantar

  Bharat Bandh today: Members of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, as part of the nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by ten central trade unions. The demonstrators raised slogans against the Union government’s economic and labour policies.

• 9 Jul 2025, 02:04:47 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Clash breaks out between TMC members and trade union leaders in West Bengal

  Bharat Bandh today: A scuffle broke out in Naxalbari, Darjeeling, between members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and trade union leaders amid Bharat Bandh protests on Tuesday. No injuries have been reported so far.

   

• 9 Jul 2025, 01:40:07 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE:  Congress to raise trade unions' issues in Parliament

  Bharat Bandh today: Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has stated that the INC will raise the issue in the Parliament.  

  “The Indian National Congress will raise this issue inside Parliament as well. Be it the issue of economic inequality, unemployment, a sinking economy, the rights of farmers and workers, the privatization of industries, or handing over India's economic structure to crony capitalists, the Indian National Congress will definitely raise all these issues, both inside and outside Parliament, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,” the Congress leader told reporters in Bengaluru.

• 9 Jul 2025, 01:17:27 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Bus drivers spotted in helmets in North Bengal amid strike

  Bharat Bandh today: In a unique safety measure, bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were seen wearing helmets during duty hours, except in the Darjeeling Hills.

  While talking to news agency ANI, a bus driver said, “These people are saying the right thing (referring to the 'Bharat Bandh'), but we have to do our work. We are workers, so we support (the 'Bandh')…We are wearing it (helmet) for protection in case something happens.”

• 9 Jul 2025, 12:40:09 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Lathi charge in Howrah as police cracks down on Left parties

  Bharat Bandh today: In West Bengal's However, police resorted to lathicharge to dismiss workers of Left organisations trying to enforce shutdown.

  On Wednesday, over 25 crore workers affiliated with central and sectoral trade unions went on strike across the country to protest against new labour codes and privatisation. 

  The trade unions have also called for minimum wage of ₹26,000 and old pension scheme.

• 9 Jul 2025, 12:19:21 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Bank workers in Mumbai protest against privatization

  Bharat Bandh today: In Mumbai, workers and members of the Banking Federation of India were seen shouting slogans as they join the nationwide trade union strike. 

  The employees were seen shouting slogans and carrying placards against privatization of public sector

• 9 Jul 2025, 12:05:44 PM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Trade unions allege Centre's policies “weakening” workers' rights

  Bharat Bandh today: As the nationwide strike continues, the trade unions have alleged that the central government is implementing reforms that weaken workers' rights.

  CITU General Secretary Tapan Kumar Sen told news agency PTi - "On the 17-point charter of the demand, the focus was on the demand to completely scrap the labour ports enacted by the government in 2020 to destroy the country's trade union movement. This will be a highly dangerous exercise, and ultimately, the government aims to dismantle the democratic structure. Against that, the trade unions have given a call for a nationwide general strike."

• 9 Jul 2025, 11:50:51 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: In Bihar, trade union protest clashes with state protests 

  Bharat Bandh today: In Bihar, the trade union protests has clashed with the state unrest ahead of the assembly elections. Opposotion parties in Bihar have called for a “Bihar Bandh” to oppose the revised electoral roll for the state assembly polls. 

  However, alongside this, trade union members and workers are also carrying out the Bharat Bandh strike against the Centre's “pro-corporate” policies. 

• 9 Jul 2025, 11:13:24 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: BJP MP downplays impact of Bharat Bandh

  Bharat Bandh today: BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Wednesday said that there is no effect of the Bharat Bandh on any commercial market across the country, adding that they are functioning at their regular pace.

  The statement issued by Khandelwal said, "There has been absolutely no effect of the so-called Bharat Bandh on any commercial market across the country. Trading markets and commercial bazaars are functioning at their regular pace, with normal business activities taking place throughout the day."

  "It is evident that *traders across India have not supported this call* and have instead chosen to keep their businesses open and running. The *trading community stands united in its commitment to economic activity and national progress*, and does not endorse such disruptive shutdowns that serve no constructive purpose," he added further.

• 9 Jul 2025, 11:05:37 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: State-run transport in Kerala hit due to strike

  Bharat Bandh today: As per local reports, due to the Bharat Bandh called by trade unions, state-run transport in Kerala has taken a major hit.

  Despite the state government saying that KSRTC will not be impacted, many buses are off the road as drivers participate in the nationwide strike.

• 9 Jul 2025, 10:41:56 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Public transport disrupted across the country

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Public transportation was disrupted in various parts of the country on Wednesday following the 'Bharat Bandh' protests, called by ten central trade unions, intensified.

  In Odisha, members of the Khordha District unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway at Bhubaneswar to support the 'Bharat Bandh'.

  In Kerala, shops and shopping malls in Kottayam remain closed in support of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by 10 central trade unions.

• 9 Jul 2025, 10:32:10 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Are banks closed today? 

  Bharat Bandh today: While no state has officially announced the closure of the banks, services are expected to be delayed due to the workers joining the strike.

  Furthermore, banks have also not officially declared - Wednesday, July 9 - a holiday for workers. Hence, banks across India are expected to stay open, however, they may be short staffed due to the bandh.

• 9 Jul 2025, 10:18:34 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Modi only support Adani, Ambani, allege trade unions

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: As the nationwide strike continues, trade unions have come together to protest against the privatization and Modi government's ‘pro-corporate policies’.

  “Modi govt is supporting only Adani and Ambani but not the labourers. We are demanding a minimum pension of ₹9000 per month,” said CITU president, Khordha District, Suresh Routray to news agency ANI.

• 9 Jul 2025, 09:53:52 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Left Parties in Jadavpur join protest

  Bharat Bandh today: Left parties' trade unions are staging a 'Bharat Bandh' alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights. 10 Central trade unions have called the Bandh.

  Defying police presence, members of the Left parties' union entered Jadavpur railway station in West Bengal to block the railway tracks to mark their protest against the central govt's "pro-corporate" policies. Left parties' unions also took out a foot march in Jadavpur

  via PTI

• 9 Jul 2025, 09:39:48 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: INDIA alliance hits the streets in Bihar

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: The INDIA bloc on Wednesday took to the streets in protest against the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

  Calling out for 'Bihar Bandh' against the decision of the Election Commission of India to revise the voter list, Congress workers blocked the railway track at Sachiwalay Halt railway station in protest.

• 9 Jul 2025, 09:32:21 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Why are 25 crore workers protesting

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: The trade unions allege that the government has failed to hold the annual labour conference for the past 10 years. It stated that a 17-point charter outlining its demands was submitted to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year. However, the group accuses the Centre of acting against workers' interests while favouring employers.

• 9 Jul 2025, 09:23:29 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Protesters try to block rail tracks at Jadavpur station

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Left parties' trade unions are staging a 'Bharat Bandh' in Jadavpur, West Bengal alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights.

  Defying police presence, members of the Left parties' union entered Jadavpur railway station in West Bengal to block the railway tracks to mark their protest against the central govt's "pro-corporate" policies. Left parties' unions also took out a foot march in Jadavpur

• 9 Jul 2025, 09:18:14 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: CITU members block highway in Odisha's Bhubaneswar

  Bharat Bandh today: In Odisha, members of Khordha District unit of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have blocked the national highway at Bhubaneswar, in view of the 'Bharat Bandh' today. 

• 9 Jul 2025, 09:05:16 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Strike supporters attempt to block trains, roads in West Bengal

  Bharat Bandh today: In West Bengal, supporters of the strike, which began at 6 am, tried to block train movement at Diamond Harbour in the Sealdah South section and Shyamnagar in the North Section of Eastern Railways' Sealdah division.

  They also tried to block roads in different parts of the state, including Jalpaiguri, Asansol and Bankura.

• 9 Jul 2025, 08:50:47 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Shops shut in West Bengal amid nationwide strike

  Bharat Bandh today: West Bengal's Kolkata bares a deserted look as shops remains shut due to the nationwide strike. As per visuals on social media and from news agencies, roads across Kolkata remain empty as well. 

  The forum of 10 trade unions has called for pan-India strike in protest to the Centre's new labour codes and policies. 

  “The question is of privatisation, unemployment, and inflation. PM Modi made this commitment to provide employment, but that didn’t happen. There is no future of this country. There is no new development. Therefore, the secular and Left trade unions have decided to call for a bandh against in the entire country,” Darjeeling CITU vice president, Dibas Choubey told news agency PTI

• 9 Jul 2025, 08:43:34 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Nationwide strike today marks 22nd protest since 1991's liberalisation

  Bharat Bandh today: As per the forum of the 10 central trade unions, the Bharat Bandh 2025 marks the 22nd General Strike since the advent of neo-liberal policies in India in 1991. 

  Based on a PTI report, the strike was initially called for May 20 but due to the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror strike and Operation Sindoor, the strike was postponed..

• 9 Jul 2025, 08:35:45 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: SEWA, Farmers to join nationwide strike

  Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and several communities from rural areas, especially farmers, are also set to be participate in the Bharat bandh today. 

• 9 Jul 2025, 08:27:24 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Heavy police deployed in Kolkata as nationwide strike comes into effect

  Bharat Bandh today: Heavy police force has been deployed near Kolkata's Jadavpur 8B bus stand and bus drivers wear helmets for protection as private and state-run buses operate in Jadavpur despite the ‘Bharat Bandh’, reported ANI. 

  The 'Bharat Bandh' has been called by 10 central trade unions, alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights. 

  Under this bandh, sectors such as state-run public transport, government offices, public sector units, banking and insurance services, postal operations, coal mining and industrial production are likely to be affected.

• 9 Jul 2025, 08:18:44 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: How will the strike impact Bengaluru?

  Bharat Bandh today: The nationwide strike of the central trade unions is expected to take place across cities in India, including Bengaluru. With public services such as banks, electricity, transport and more likely to be disrupted, Bangalore is also expected to witness some challenges.  

• 9 Jul 2025, 07:46:28 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Union refutes Centre's claim of groups withdrawing support

  Bharat bandh today: The Union Labour Ministry has reportedly claimed that several trade unions supporting the nationwide strike today have withdrawn their support.

  As per a report by The Hindu, the Centre claimed that around 213 unions will not be participating in the Bharat bandh today. However, the forum of the 10 central trade unions has refuted this claim as part of the government's tactic to intimidate the workers.

• 9 Jul 2025, 07:36:24 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: What open and closed in Mumbai?

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: With a nationwide strike set for today, Mumbai is among the cities expected to face service disruptions. 

  Banks, postal services and power supply is expected to be affected, while trains, schools and most private offices are likely to remain functional amid the trade union workers protest.

• 9 Jul 2025, 07:17:11 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Farmers, SEWA and other sector workers to join nationwide strike

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Along with the trade union and public sector employees, workers from the informal sector, self-employed groups like the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), and rural communities will also participate in today's Bharat Bandh. 

  The protest will also be backed by farmers' platforms such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which was at the forefront of the historic agitation against the now-repealed farm laws.

• 9 Jul 2025, 07:01:27 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Banking employees to join in strike

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Employees from the banking sector will join the Bharat Bandh, an association of bank employees told PTI. While no banking holiday has been announced, this could disrupt banking services across the country. In addition to this, the insurance sector might also join the strike, the Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association said.

• 9 Jul 2025, 06:35:08 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Kerala state transport to operate as per schedule, says minister

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: In view of the Bharat Bandh on July 9, Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said that state-run KSRTC buses would continue operating on Wednesday, despite central trade unions calling for a nationwide strike.

  Speaking to reporters, the minister said the KSRTC had not received any formal notice from trade unions indicating participation in the strike.

  "There is no situation in KSRTC at present that warrants employees joining the agitation," he said, adding that “as far as KSRTC is concerned, employees are happy and content. The unions have not issued any notice. KSRTC buses will run as usual.”

• 9 Jul 2025, 06:05:10 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Power supply likely to be affected amid strike

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: India’s electricity supply may face disturbances on July 9 due to the participation of a large number of power sector employees in the nationwide strike. 

  Over 27 lakh workers from this sector are expected to join the Bharat Bandh, which could result in outages or disruptions in various parts of the country. The extent of the impact may vary by region, depending on union strength and local arrangements made by electricity boards.

• 9 Jul 2025, 06:00:41 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: What is open?

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: During the strile, schools and colleges will remain open. Furthermore, private offices are also expected to function normally. 

  Additionally, while there is no confirmed strike of railway workers, possible delays across the rail network are expected. 

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:46:18 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Banking, transport and other services expected to be hit

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Due to the nationwide strike from the trade union workers today, several services such as banking, transport and more are expected to be hit. Some of the services whichc an expect disruption today are - 

  • Banking and insurance services.
  • Postal operations.
  • Coal mining and industrial production.
  • State-run public transport.
  • Government offices and public sector units.
  • Farmer-led rallies in rural areas.
• 9 Jul 2025, 05:33:39 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Who all are taking part in the union strike?

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: As per reports, the unions taking part in the strike today are - 

  • 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).

  Additionally, Farmers' groups like Samyukta Kisan Morcha, rural worker unions. and public sector staff from Railways, NMDC Ltd, and steel industries have also expressed their support for the Bharat Bandh today. 

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:19:49 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Govt ignored our list, alleges trade union

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: As per the the trade union forum, the strike is the result of months of planning within both formal and informal sectors.

  Amarjeet Kaur of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) told news agency PTI - "The government has ignored our 17-point demand list and hasn’t even called the annual labour conference in the last 10 years."

  The trade unions have added that the four new labour codes passed by Parliament undermine workers’ rights by making it more difficult to strike, increasing working hours, and shielding employers from penalties when they violate labour laws.

  Furthermore, the unions are also protesting against the privatisation of public sector units, outsourcing of jobs, and the use of contract workers, which they claim threaten job security and fair wages.

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:16:38 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Why has a Bharat Bandh been called?

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: The forum of 10 central trade unions called the nationwide strike, criticising the government for not conducting the annual labour conference for the last 10 years, and alleging that the economic policies are resulting in more unemployment, rising prices of essential commodities, and depression in wages.

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:14:44 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Will schools and colleges remain closed?

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, have not been notified of a holiday due to the Bharat bandh call and are expected to function based on their go-to schedule.

  In case of any closure, the respective people, customers, and caretakers will be notified separately from the institutions.

• 9 Jul 2025, 05:13:25 AM IST

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: Nationwide strike to take place today

  Bharat Bandh today LIVE: A nationwide strike organised by the forum of 10 trade unions is set to take place today. Around 25 crore workers across public services such as banking, insurance, postal and construction are expected to participate.