Originally planned for May 20, the strike was postponed on 9 July due to “prevalent situation” across the country.
The organizers are expecting participation from more than 25 crore workers in formal and informal sectors. Apart from the strike, unions will organize major demonstrations and rallies in the state capitals, district headquarters and major industrial hubs on 9 July.
Here is a wide eye that what is happening, who is involved, why the strike has been called, and how it can affect daily life across India.
When and where will Bharat be closed?
India closed for Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
The strike will have nationwide coverage and it is expected that it will affect both urban and rural areas across India. Major places include industrial groups, state capitals, district centers and public sector offices.
Who has called Bharat Bandh?
The strike is being led by a joint platform of the following 10 major trade unions:
- Indian National Trade Association Congress (INTUC)
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
- Hind Jokes Assembly (HMS)
- Indian trade union center
- All India United Trade Union Center (AITUTUC)
- Trade union coordination center (tUCC)
- Self -planned women’s association (seva)
- All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICTU)
- Labor progressive federation
- United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) (UTC)
In addition, farmers unions have promised support under Samukta Kisan Morcha and various agricultural workers’ organizations.
The only major central association to not support the bandh is the Indian Jokes Association (BMS), which is affiliated to the RSS.
“Farmers and rural workers will also join protests across the country,” Amarjeet Kaur of AituC told PTI. “The government has ignored our 17-Bindu demand list and has not called the annual labor conference in the last 10 years.”
Why are workers going on strike?
According to unions, the strike is the reaction to policies they describe as pro-corporate, anti-activists and harmful to farmers and common people.
They are opposing the implementation of four labor codes, which say they reduce the rights of collective bargaining, increase work hours, make unions difficult to create or maintain, and reduce violations of labor laws by employers. The unions also opposed the growing contracting and privatization of jobs and the increasing cost of life, and also opposed the lack of public sector recruitment or increase in wages.
Union leaders have said that there has been no serious government’s response to the demands of their 17-Bindu charter, including scrapping new labor codes, expanding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in 200 days of work, restoring the old pension scheme, and strengthened security for both organized and without stopping workers.
Groups of farmers have also joined the protest, arguing that the policies of the government have spoiled the rural crisis.
They indicate rising unemployment, high prices of essential commodities, and cuts in health, education and welfare budgets, as the reasons for their support.
Additionally, unions have expressed concern that what they describe as constitutional institutions, to target dissatisfaction, new state laws, which ban protests such as Public Safety Bills in Maharashtra, try to dissolve migrant workers in Bihar, and have widespread danger for the rights of citizenship.
What is the possibility of being affected?
The organizers have informed that Bharata can disrupt a wide range of closed services.
Banking and financial services are likely to be affected, as public sector bank employees and cooperative banking employees are expected to participate, which can affect branch operations, check clearing and customer services.
Public transport may face disruption or delays with state buses, taxis and some app-based cab services.
Mining and heavy industries, including coal, steel and mineral areas, have confirmed that many workers will participate in the strike.
Government offices and public sector units may see staffing and slow operations less.
Although schools, colleges and most private offices are expected to be open, passengers should be prepared for transportation delays. So far, there is no formal announcement of the railway strike, but protests near the stations can create localized disruption.
