Bharat Bandh on 9 July 2025: Nationwide Strike Set to Disrupt Key Services

New Delhi, 8 July 2025 — A massive nationwide strike, widely referred to as Bharat Bandh, is set to take place on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, as over 25 crore workers and employees across India prepare to protest against what they term as “anti-people” and “anti-worker” government policies.

The protest has been jointly called by a coalition of 10 central trade unions, including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, and others, with backing from numerous public sector employees, bank workers, farmers’ unions, and rural labour groups. This marks one of the largest coordinated strikes in recent years, and it’s expected to significantly impact banking, transport, education, and public utility services across various states.

🔥 Why Is Bharat Bandh Being Called?

The unions are protesting against a wide range of government actions they consider regressive and harmful to the common citizen. Their 17-point charter of demands includes the following key issues:

• Reversal of new labour codes that allegedly strip away worker protections.

• Halt to privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSUs) like LIC, BPCL, and railways.

• Guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and protection of farmers’ livelihoods.

• Curbing inflation and ensuring food security for low-income families.

• Filling of vacant government posts and regularisation of contract workers.

• Strengthening of social security, including pensions and ESI/EPF provisions.

The protest also expresses dissatisfaction with growing unemployment, rising living costs, erosion of job security, and the central government's alleged refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue with workers and farmers.

🚫 What Will Be Closed or Disrupted on 9 July?

Likely to be Closed or Severely Affected:

• Public sector banks and insurance companies: Services such as cash transactions, cheque clearances, and customer assistance will likely be unavailable.

• Postal services: Parcel deliveries, speed post, and regular mail operations may face delays.

• Transport services: Roadways, buses, and even operations in state-run metro and rail networks may be disrupted, especially in states like West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

• Mining and heavy industry units: Including coal, steel, power generation plants, and NMDC-operated sectors.

Support from Farmers and Rural Unions:

Large farmer collectives have announced support for the Bandh. Protests and road blockades are expected, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka, where farmer movements are historically strong.

✅ What Will Likely Remain Open?

• Schools and colleges: Most institutions have not declared a holiday. However, low attendance is expected due to transport disruptions.

• Hospitals and emergency services: Medical services, ambulances, and pharmacies are expected to remain operational, though rural centers may be affected.

• Private sector IT companies and offices: Most are opting for work-from-home arrangements to avoid employee inconvenience.

• Airports and flight operations: Expected to function as usual, but travelers may experience delays in reaching terminals due to possible roadblocks.

🛑 Public Appeal and Security Arrangements

Several district administrations and state police departments have issued advisories urging people to avoid non-essential travel. Security personnel will be deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents. Section 144 (prohibitory orders) may be imposed in select urban zones to maintain law and order.

States such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal are likely to see strong participation. Meanwhile, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai may face partial disruption in essential services.

🗣️ Voices from the Ground

S. Ramachandran, General Secretary of a public sector bank union, stated:

“This is not just about employee rights; it's about preserving public assets and social justice. The government has ignored our voices for too long.”

Rani Kumari, a health worker from Bihar, added:

“We are constantly overworked, underpaid, and disrespected. Unless we strike, no one listens to us.”

🇮🇳 Historical Context

This is not the first time such a massive strike has been called. Similar Bharat Bandhs in 2020 and 2022 saw participation from crores of workers. However, this time, with growing discontent post-pandemic, the scale is expected to be larger.

The current Bandh comes at a crucial time, when the government is pushing ahead with reforms in the banking, agriculture, and industrial sectors without what the unions claim is “proper stakeholder consultation.”

📝 What Citizens Should Do

• Complete essential banking tasks in advance.

• Avoid travel on Wednesday unless necessary.

• Plan for possible disruption in school/college schedules.

• Stay updated via local news and official state advisories.

• Work from home if possible to avoid being stuck in traffic or public protests.