Bharat Bandh Today: Why is India on Strike on July 9? Who is Participating in the Nationwide Protest? Over 25 crore workers from sectors like banking, insurance, construction, coal, and postal services are participating in the Bharat Bandh today, July 9, 2025. Here’s why the nationwide strike is happening and who is involved.
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Introduction: What Is Bharat Bandh and Why July 9 Matters?
India is witnessing a massive Bharat Bandh today, July 9, 2025, with over 25 crore workers and employees expected to participate in a nationwide general strike. The shutdown has been called by a collective of 10 central trade unions protesting against the central government’s “anti-worker and anti-farmer” policies.
The bandh is expected to impact daily life across multiple sectors including banking, postal services, coal mining, highways, construction, and insurance.
Who Is Participating in Bharat Bandh Today?
According to PTI reports, the sectors going on strike include:
- 🏦 Banking
- 🛡️ Insurance
- 🛣️ Highway and construction
- 📮 Postal services
- 🪨 Coal mining
- 👨🌾 Farmers and rural workers
This is one of the largest coordinated strikes in recent years, with both formal and informal sector workers participating. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) confirmed that preparation has been ongoing for months to ensure maximum participation across the country.
Why Has the Bharat Bandh Been Called?
The 10 trade unions behind the protest have issued a 17-point charter of demands and accuse the central government of:
- Ignoring labour welfare
- Imposing pro-corporate economic policies
- Weakening labour rights and collective bargaining
- Enforcing the four new labour codes without adequate discussion
- Ignoring unemployment and rising inflation
- Reducing funding for social welfare schemes like MGNREGA
Amarjeet Kaur from AITUC stated, “This bandh is against policies that are anti-national and benefit only corporate houses while destroying the rights of workers and farmers.”
Key Demands of the Protesters
Here’s what the trade unions are demanding from the government:
- Repeal of all anti-labour codes
- Increase in minimum wages and MGNREGA payments
- Permanent jobs and stopping of contractual hiring
- Fair pricing of crops and protection for farmers
- Resumption of annual labour conferences
- Stop privatization of public sector units
Impact of Bharat Bandh Today on Public Life
Due to the large participation, the bandh is expected to affect:
- Bank operations, ATMs and cheque clearances
- Construction and transport projects
- Postal deliveries and courier services
- Mining operations in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha
- School and government office attendance in rural areas
Farmers’ unions have also extended support to the bandh and will stage rural road blockades and peaceful dharnas across states like Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
What the Government Says nationwide strike in India
Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had received the trade unions’ charter in 2024, but no progress was reportedly made. The unions blame the government for being focused on “ease of doing business” while ignoring “ease of living for workers.”
The government has not yet released an official response to the July 9 Bharat Bandh, but states have been asked to monitor law and order situations.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call?
The Bharat Bandh on July 9, 2025, is not just a strike—it’s a wake-up call. Workers, farmers, and daily-wage earners across the country are standing in unity to protect their rights and demand fair treatment from the system.
Whether you support or oppose the bandh, it’s clear that the issues of unemployment, wage cuts, inflation, and labour exploitation cannot be ignored any longer.