Bharat Bandh Today: Multiple trade unions have called for a one-day Bharat Bandh on Wednesday, July 9. An estimated 25 crore workers from across the country are expected to take part in the strike. The workers participating in the strike come from various sectors, including farmers and agricultural labourers, banking and insurance, postal services, coal mining, highways, and construction.
The protest, led by major trade unions and sectoral federations, has been called to highlight issues such as inflation, unemployment, privatisation, erosion of social security, and the weakening of workers’ rights. The shutdown was announced by a coalition of 10 central trade unions and is backed by rural labour organisations and farmers. The aim is to challenge what they describe as the government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policy.”
The bandh is being led by a forum of ten main unions, including the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), and several others. Farmers and rural labour groups like Samyukta Kisan Morcha will also join the strike.
In a joint press release issued ahead of the protest, trade unions explicitly mentioned banks among the sectors whose unions have served strike notices. Steel, banks, LIC, GIC, BSNL, telecom, public transport, and various private sector establishments—unions from all these sectors have issued strike notices.
9 जुलाई की देशव्यापी हड़ताल
केंद्रीय श्रम संगठनों द्वारा जारी प्रेस विज्ञप्ति#9जुलाईहड़ताल #देशव्यापीहड़ताल #श्रमिकअधिकार #कर्मचारीएकता #INTUC #TradeUnion #CentralTradeUnions #WorkersRights pic.twitter.com/1cm7AHtWZz— INTUC (@INTUCnational) July 7, 2025
Also Read:Bharat Bandh On July 9: What will be open or closed tomorrow? Check out full details
Bharat Bandh: Why the protest?
The unions allege that over the past 10 years, the government has aggressively pursued pro-corporate, anti-worker policies that have:
- Deepened unemployment and inflation
- Undermined public services like education, health, transport, and social security
- Favoured privatisation and contractualisation across sectors
- The statement also criticises the government for:
- Ignoring objections to the new labour codes
- Pushing the National Monetisation Pipeline
- Diluting food, pension, and job security for common citizens
- The unions are demanding:
- Reversal of the four labour codes
- Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme
- Legal guarantee of MSP for farmers
- Secure employment, fair wages, and better working conditions
- Strengthening of public education, health and food systems
Bharat Bandh: Who is participating?
According to the press release, unions from a wide range of sectors have joined the call for the Bharat Bandh. These include workers from the railways, coal and mineral mining, steel, banking, LIC, GIC, BSNL, telecom, public transport, education, and healthcare. The protest has also seen participation from workers engaged in MNREGA, anganwadi, ASHA, mid-day meal schemes, as well as those in the gig economy, construction, and private sector. In addition to trade unions, the movement has received support from student groups, youth organisations, teachers’ associations, women’s collectives, and various social movements.
Bharat Bandh: Will banks be open today?
Given that bank unions have served strike notices, services at several public sector banks may be affected. The extent of impact could vary based on region and level of participation. While online banking and ATM services are likely to remain functional, operations such as branch-level services, cheque clearance, and customer assistance may face delays, particularly in areas with high union presence or coordinated mobilisation.
Bharat Bandh: What happens next?
The unions stated that today’s protest is not just a one-off action, but a part of a larger campaign against the government’s policies. They plan to intensify the movement post-July 9 through further mobilisation and outreach. The unions have called upon the people of India to join the protest and support what they describe as a “nationalist and people-centric campaign.”