Bharat Bandh on July 9: Over 25 Crore Workers to Join Nationwide Protest Against Labour Policies
New Delhi, July 8, 2025 — India is set to witness a massive nationwide strike on Wednesday, July 9, as more than 25 crore workers from various sectors prepare to participate in a coordinated industrial action. The strike—referred to as Bharat Bandh—has been called by central trade unions in protest against the central government’s labour policies, privatization agenda, and economic reforms.
This coordinated effort is expected to significantly impact key services such as banking, transport, postal operations, public sector industries, and more.
Key Demands Behind the Nationwide Strike
The central trade unions, supported by farmers’ organizations, student groups, and employee federations, are protesting the implementation of the four new labour codes, which they claim dilute worker protections and erode collective bargaining rights.
The major demands include:
- Withdrawal of the four labour codes and restoration of earlier protections
- Creation of quality employment and regularization of contract workers
- Halting privatization of strategic public sector units
- Strengthening the MGNREGA scheme and extending it to urban areas
- Increasing social security coverage for unorganized workers
Union leaders have emphasized that the new codes promote “hire and fire” practices, reduce job security, and weaken workplace grievance redressal mechanisms.
Services Likely to Be Disrupted
The Bharat Bandh is expected to have a nationwide impact across multiple essential and non-essential sectors. Below is a sector-wise breakdown of anticipated disruptions:
| Sector | Status on July 9 |
|---|---|
| Banking & Insurance | Services expected to be severely affected |
| Public Transport | Disruptions likely in buses, trucks, and taxis across several states |
| Postal Services | Most services likely to be suspended |
| Railways | Protests may affect normal operations in select regions |
| Public Sector Units | Operations expected to be impacted by large-scale participation |
| Educational Institutions | No nationwide closure, though some state-wise disruptions possible |
| Stock Exchanges | Both NSE and BSE will remain open; trading will continue normally |
The strike will likely cause travel delays and banking inconvenience in urban centers such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Who Is Supporting the Bharat Bandh?
The strike is being led by a united platform of central trade unions, including:
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
- Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
- Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
- And others
Additional support is expected from:
- The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) — a major farmers’ coalition
- Student and youth organizations
- Sector-specific federations including banking, transport, and industrial labor bodies
Government Response and Public Advisory
While the central government has yet to make an official statement, law enforcement agencies in major states have been directed to remain on high alert. Preventive measures and traffic advisories are expected to be issued locally in anticipation of rallies and demonstrations.
Public Advisory:
- Avoid non-essential travel on July 9.
- Complete banking transactions and official documentation ahead of time
- Expect delays in public transport and service delivery
- Follow local administration advisories for updates and safety
Conclusion
The Bharat Bandh on July 9, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in India’s evolving labour landscape. With the backing of a wide range of worker unions, farmers’ collectives, and civil groups, the strike reflects a growing pushback against perceived pro-corporate and anti-labour policies. While essential services such as healthcare will likely remain unaffected, significant disruptions are anticipated across economic and public service sectors.
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