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

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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

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."

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.