Latest news with #Bharatbandh
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CPM workers threaten to burn down fish shop in Kerala amid Bharat Bandh: report
The Bharat Bandh called by central trade unions on Wednesday saw widespread disruption and scattered violence in Kerala, with public transport suspended and shops shut down forcibly. CITU workers take part in a protest in Kerala (CITU Kerala) According to a Janmbhumi report, in Kozhikode's Mukkam, a particularly disturbing incident unfolded when protest supporters, led by T Viswanathan — a CPM district secretariat member and CITU state committee member — allegedly threatened to set fire to a fish shop if it remained open. Witnesses claim they threatened to pour kerosene and burn it down, forcing the shop to shut. Similar pressure tactics were reported across the state, including the forced closure of a mall as police allegedly looked on. Buses blocked in Kerala A report in Manorama stated that protesters blocked Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses in Kochi and Kollam. People associated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) reportedly stopped a bus making its way to Amrita Hospital in Kollam. In the constituency of Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar, who had assured regular KSRTC bus services, strike supporters blocked vehicles and halted operations. Long-distance buses, including services from Bengaluru, were also disrupted. A food stall at the Kozhikode KSRTC stand was shut down amid rising tensions. Kumar had earlier said that buses would operate as usual on July 9, the day of the strike. This was rejected by CITU leader and convener of ruling Left Democratic Front T P Ramakrishnan, reported the Indian Express. Ramakrishnan said that bus drivers would have to take part in the strike. What is this nationwide strike about? A joint forum of 10 central trade unions has been staging a Bharat bandh, or a nationwide strike, since Wednesday morning in protest against the four labour codes, contractualisation, and privatisation of PSUs among others. Left parties' trade unions are staging a 'Bharat Bandh', alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights, as per PTI. The forum of ten central trade unions and their associates, which include, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), HMS, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) are participating in the nation-wide protest.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bharat Bandh cripples public transport in parts of India; railway blockades reported in Bihar, West Bengal
Public transportation was severely affected across several Indian states on Wednesday as the 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions intensified. The protest is aimed at opposing labour reforms and economic policies introduced by the central government, which the unions allege undermine workers' rights. Police personnel extinguishing a burning effigy as members of Central Trade Unions take out a rally in support of Nationwide General Strike against Union Government's four Labour Code in Kolkata on July 09, 2025.(HT Photo/Samir Jana) The strike targeted disruptions in public transport, government offices, public sector undertakings, banking and insurance, postal services, coal mining, and industrial production. Train tracks blocked in Bihar, Bengal Bihar witnessed disruptions as members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal's students' wing blocked railway tracks at Jehanabad railway station. In West Bengal, agitators obstructed rail services at multiple stations, including Jadavpur, where members of Left-affiliated unions defied police presence and squatted on tracks. Follow Bharat bandh live updates. Bus drivers wear helmets in North Bengal amid tension In a unique safety measure, bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were seen wearing helmets during duty hours, except in the Darjeeling Hills. While talking to news agency ANI, a bus driver said, 'These people are saying the right thing (referring to the 'Bharat Bandh'), but we have to do our work. We are workers, so we support (the 'Bandh')…We are wearing it (helmet) for protection in case something happens.' Highway blockade in Odisha, shops shut in Kerala In Odisha's Bhubaneswar, members of the Khordha District unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway in support of the Bandh. Meanwhile, in Kerala's Kottayam, shops and malls remained closed as traders joined the protest, backing the trade unions' call. Services run normally in parts of Tamil Nadu Unlike other states, public transport services in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, remained largely unaffected by the Bharat Bandh, with buses continuing to operate as scheduled. CITU leader slams labour codes Left-backed trade unions spearheading the protests in Bengal alleged that the central government was pushing pro-corporate reforms at the cost of labour rights. A large police presence was visible near Jadavpur 8B bus stand, although private and state-run buses continued to operate in parts of the city. CITU General Secretary Tapan Kumar Sen said, 'On the 17-point charter of the demand, the focus was on the demand to completely scrap the labour ports enacted by the government in 2020 to destroy the country's trade union movement. This will be a highly dangerous exercise, and ultimately, the government aims to dismantle the democratic structure. Against that, the trade unions have given a call for a nationwide general strike.' Unions slam government's inaction The strike saw participation from the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and others including AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC. In a joint statement, the unions criticised the Centre for not holding the annual labour conference for over a decade. They alleged the government was pushing four new labour codes to weaken union activity and collective bargaining under the guise of improving the 'ease of doing business'. The unions also blamed central economic policies for rising unemployment, surging prices of essential commodities, and falling wages. They said budgetary cuts in health, education, and civic services had further impacted workers. Among the key demands of the trade unions were the immediate recruitment to vacant government posts and increasing the number of working days and wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). Workers' grievances at the heart of Bharat Bandh today The Bharat Bandh is being projected as a call to restore the rights of organised and unorganised workers, opposing what the unions describe as a coordinated attempt to dismantle hard-won labour protections in India. While participation levels varied across states, the widespread disruption and symbolic gestures—like helmet-wearing bus drivers—reflect a simmering discontent among India's working class. At the time of filing this report, the central government had not issued an official response to the protest. However, observers say the protest may prompt a review of the implementation timeline of the new labour codes.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bharat Bandh: 53% of Indian workforce has no social security, says Congress MP
Randeep Singh Surjewala, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka and MP, said that 80% of India's workforce is in the unorganised sector while 60% of India's workers don't have a written contract. Supporting the call for Bharat Bandh on July 9 by trade unions to 'oppose the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the government', he claimed that '53% of the Indian workforce has no social security, which means no insurance and no pension'. Bharat Bandh live updates - July 09, 2025 Quoting a survey, he said wages have increased by 0.8% while inflation has increased by 6%, and wages have not increased as per the inflation rate. 'That's why unions and 25 crore workers are on strike today (July 9),' he said. He urged the Narendra Modi government to open their eyes and see the problems. He claimed that over 10% of the graduates and post-graduates are unemployed. 'Unemployment in India is at a 45-year high. There are no jobs, and that's why trade unions are trying to draw attention of the Modi government by calling for a Bharat bandh today.' While SC/ST/OBC categories are under attack by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 'his government's budget for MGNREGA has stagnated at about ₹86,000 crores', Mr Surjewala told reporters in Bengaluru. 'We (UPA government) gave 100 days of statutory guarantee of work every year, but the Modi government has provided only 44 days of work,' the AICC leader alleged.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Power supply among public services likely to be hit today due to Bharat Bandh
Power supply in parts of India may be disrupted today as trade unions and farmers' groups observe a nationwide strike — Bharat Bandh — to protest against the government's alleged 'pro-corporate' and 'anti-worker policies.' The strike, called by a coalition of central trade unions, is also expected to impact banking services and public transport in several states. Bharat Bandh on July 9: Over 25 crore workers strike, power outages feared.(Representative image/HT Photo) Over 25 crore workers from various sectors have joined the Bharat Bandh strike protest against what they call the government's 'anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate' policies. 'We are demanding from the government to address unemployment, recruitments against sanctioned posts, creation of more jobs, increase in days and remuneration of MGNREGA workers, and enactment of similar legislation for urban areas,' the All India Trade Union Congress's Amarjeet Kaur said. Follow Bharat bandh live updates. Power supply likely to be disrupted India's power supply may face partial disruption as nearly 27 lakh electricity sector employees are participating in the Bharat Bandh today. Power grids in some regions are expected to be under pressure, especially in states with high union mobilisation. Also Read | Bharat Bandh: Over 25 crore workers expected to participate, public services likely to be hit on Wednesday 'The government continues to impose the four labour codes to weaken collective bargaining and favour employers,' said Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha. Public transport to be affected In major cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru, public transportation services such as buses, taxis, and app-based ride platforms like Rapido or Uber are likely to be delayed or limited. Protest marches and road blockades are anticipated, particularly during peak commute hours. Also Read | Bharat Bandh today: What remains open and what shuts down | Full details Citizens have been advised to plan their travel in advance and check for local traffic advisories. Today's strike news indicates longer travel times and possible traffic diversions in several urban centres. Railways may see isolated protests While no official railway unions have declared participation, minor disruptions may occur due to Bharat Bandh protest strike demonstrations at or near railway stations. Localised delays and increased security at major junctions are expected, but a full-scale railway shutdown is not anticipated. Banking services take a hit Banking operations may be severely affected today. Employee groups from nationalised and private sector banks are supporting the Bharat Bandh trade unions strike India. ATM services, cheque clearances, and branch-level operations could face delays in many parts of the country. No closure for educational institutions Despite the widespread strike action, there has been no government advisory directing schools or colleges to close. Classes are expected to function normally. Why is Bharat Bandh being observed today? The Bharat Bandh on July 9 has been called by a coalition of central trade unions and farmers' organisations to protest against what they allege are the government's pro-corporate and anti-worker policies. The unions are opposing the four new labour codes, privatisation of public sector enterprises, contractualisation of jobs, and lack of employment opportunities. They also accuse the government of ignoring demands related to wage security, social welfare, and job creation, while pushing reforms that they claim favour large corporations over workers and farmers. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, along with a coalition of agricultural workers' unions, has backed the ongoing strike and announced plans for large-scale mobilisations in rural areas, according to union leaders. Similar nationwide strikes were previously held by trade unions on November 26, 2020, March 28–29, 2022, and February 16 last year. (With PTI inputs)
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Bharat Bandh 2025: Are banks open or closed today, on July 9? Check here
Bharat Bandh on 9 July 2025: Over 25 crore workers across banking, insurance, postal, mining, and construction industries are expected to participate in 'Bharat Bandh', a nationwide general strike today, on Wednesday, 9 July. A coalition of 10 central trade unions, in coordination with various farmers' and rural workers' organisations, aims to protest what the organisers describe as the Centre's pro-corporate, anti-labour policies. Given the scale of the protest and the involvement, concerns have been expressed regarding interruptions to daily life, with many wondering whether banks will stay open or be compelled to close or adjust operations. There is no scheduled or announced bank holiday on July 9, and no official notification has been issued for the countrywide closure of schools, universities, or offices. However, according to a PTI report, an organisation of bank employees has stated that those working in the industry will join the Bharat bandh to protest shared demands, and as the workforce is expected to protest, bank services will be disrupted, even if they are nominally open. Though there has not been any separate official confirmation of the closure of banks in India. Nonetheless, the public is encouraged to plan ahead of time since traffic interruptions, protest marches, and blocked roads may have an impact on commutes, particularly in locations with a large concentration of union activity.
