India witnessed a Bharat Bandh on Tuesday as major trade unions staged a daylong nationwide strike protesting the Central Government’s policies on labour reforms, privatisation, and alleged anti-worker measures.

The strike, called by a coalition of central trade unions, witnessed participation in multiple states, with notable disruptions reported in Kerala, Jharkhand, and Puducherry, while other regions saw relatively normal operations.

According to union leaders, the Bharat Bandh was intended to demonstrate worker discontent with what they describe as pro-corporate, anti-labour reforms and the government’s aggressive privatisation push.

Strike Call by Major Trade Unions

The strike was organised by several central trade unions, including the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), and others.

These unions have long criticised the Central Government’s attempts to consolidate labour laws into four new labour codes, arguing that they weaken worker protections, reduce collective bargaining power, and favour large corporations over ordinary workers.

Protestors held placards, staged sit-ins, and shouted slogans demanding the rollback of the new codes and greater social security protections for unorganised and contract workers.

Leaders declared that the strike was part of a broader fight to protect worker rights, employment security, and the public sector from what they call aggressive privatisation.

Impact Across States

While the strike call was nationwide, its impact varied significantly across regions.

In Kerala, where trade unions have traditionally had strong networks, many government offices, banks, and public transport services were disrupted.

Reports indicated that buses stayed off the roads in parts of Kerala, with commuters forced to make alternate arrangements. Shops and markets in some towns remained shut, and unions claimed near-total support from workers in critical sectors.

In Jharkhand, sporadic protests were reported with disruptions in coal mining areas and partial shutdowns of government offices.

Puducherry also saw partial impact, with trade unions and opposition parties backing the strike call. Public transport services ran at reduced frequencies, and protest rallies were held at prominent locations.

However, in many other states including Delhi, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, the impact was limited, with most services running normally.

Government sources played down the overall disruption, describing it as patchy and limited to union strongholds.

Demands of the Protesters

The central trade unions have put forward a set of core demands:

• Rollback of the four labour codes passed by Parliament

• Halting what they call reckless privatisation of public sector enterprises

• Withdrawal of National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) plans

• Strengthening of employment guarantee schemes for urban and rural areas

• Enhanced social security coverage for unorganised sector workers

Union leaders say these demands reflect widespread anger among workers who fear that labour market deregulation will reduce job security and allow companies to bypass traditional safeguards like collective bargaining.

They have also raised alarm over the sale or leasing of public assets under the NMP, arguing it will enrich private players at the expense of public good.

Government Response

The Central Government has defended the labour codes as essential reforms to modernise India’s complex labour law framework, attract investment, and create new jobs.

Officials argue that the new codes balance flexibility for employers with minimum safeguards for workers, and that they replace an outdated, fragmented system with simplified, uniform rules.

The government has also said that privatisation and asset monetisation are necessary to raise funds for infrastructure, reduce wasteful spending, and improve the efficiency of public sector enterprises.

However, critics claim these moves disproportionately hurt workers, farmers, and small businesses while benefiting large corporates.

Protests and Rallies Across India

Images and videos circulated on social media showed protest rallies in multiple cities and towns.

In Kerala, large groups of union members marched with banners criticising the government’s economic policies and labour reforms. Similar scenes were reported in Ranchi, Bokaro, and other Jharkhand industrial centres.

Union leaders vowed to continue their struggle, warning of more intense agitations if their demands were not addressed.

Many union-affiliated political parties also joined the protests, lending them an overtly political tone in several places.

Reaction from Industry Bodies

Industry groups and chambers of commerce have typically opposed such strike calls, arguing they disrupt economic activity and hurt workers themselves in the long run.

Some business leaders urged the government to engage with unions but called for responsible negotiation rather than disruptive tactics.

They stressed the need for labour market flexibility to attract investment and expand manufacturing in India.

Security Measures and Public Order

Local police forces in affected states stepped up security to prevent clashes or forced shutdowns.

In Kerala, where hartals and strikes are common, authorities issued guidelines to ensure no forced closures of shops or attacks on non-striking workers.

Reports indicated largely peaceful protests with few incidents of confrontation or arrests.

The Broader Context

The Bharat Bandh reflects ongoing tensions between labour unions and the Central Government over the direction of India’s economic reforms.

Unions have consistently warned that labour law changes and privatisation plans will increase inequality, worsen job security, and undermine the public sector’s social mandate.

Government leaders, however, argue that India needs to restructure its economy to remain competitive globally, attract investment, and generate large-scale employment.

These debates have sharpened since the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit migrant workers and informal labour especially hard, deepening demands for social security and job guarantees.

Looking Ahead

While Tuesday’s strike had a mixed impact nationwide, union leaders declared it a success in sending a message to the government.

They vowed to escalate their agitation if demands remain unmet, raising the prospect of more frequent or larger strikes in coming months.

Many analysts see such protests as part of the political build-up to upcoming elections, with opposition parties eager to highlight worker grievances.

Conclusion

The Bharat Bandh called by trade unions represents a clear signal of discontent over the government’s economic policies, especially labour reforms and privatisation.

While the impact was significant in union strongholds like Kerala, Jharkhand, and Puducherry, much of India remained relatively unaffected, suggesting the limits of organised labour’s reach in some regions.

Nonetheless, the strike has reignited debate over the balance between economic reform and worker rights, a contest that is likely to continue shaping India’s policy and politics in the years ahead.

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