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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- 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.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Bharat Bandh: Public transport, shops shut in Kerala's Ernakulam
Ernakulam (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Normal life was hit in Kerala's Ernakulam district on Wednesday with public transport and commercial establishments shut in the nationwide 'Bharat Bandh' by the combine of trade unions. Supporters of the strike blocked Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses from Ernakulam to Kozhikode. Many travellers were seen waiting at the bus stops, unable to get buses. Left parties' trade unions are staging a 'Bharat Bandh', alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights. 10 Central trade unions have called the Bandh. Under the 'Bandh', sectors such as state-run public transport, government offices, public sector units, banking and insurance services, postal operations, coal mining and industrial production are likely to be affected. The trade unions have alleged that the central government is implementing reforms that weaken workers' rights. 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 very dangerous exercise, and ultimately, the government is aiming to finish the democratic structure. Against that, the trade unions have given a call for a nationwide general strike.' The participating organisations include Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (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 the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). In a joint statement, the union forum criticised the government for not convening the annual labour conference for the past decade. They also resisted the implementation of the four labour codes passed in the parliament, alleging that that the government aims to weaken collective bargaining, crippling union activities and benefiting employers in the name of 'ease of doing business'. The trade union also criticised the government's economic policies, stating that they have led to unemployment, inflation of essential commodities, a decline in wages, a reduction in social sector expenditure on education, health, and basic civic amenities. 'For the last 10 years, the government has not been holding the Indian Labour Conference and is continuously taking decisions against the interests of workers. The efforts to implement the four labour codes are aimed at weakening collective bargaining, crippling union activities and benefiting employers in the name of 'ease of doing business'. The economic policies of the government are leading to a rise in unemployment, inflation of essential commodities, a decline in wages, reduction in social sector expenditure on education, health and basic civic amenities. This is increasing inequality and misery for the poor, low-income groups and even the middle class,' the statement said. Through 'Bharat Bandh', the unions are demanding the recruitment on sanctioned posts, an increase in working days and wages of MNREGA. 'We are demanding that the government solve the problem of unemployment, recruit for sanctioned posts, create more jobs, increase the working days and wages of MNREGA and implement a similar law for urban areas. But instead, the government is engaged in imposing the ELI scheme, which benefits only the employers,' the joint statement read. (ANI)
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Public transport disrupted across the country amid Bharat Bandh protests
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 9 (ANI): Public transportation was disrupted in various parts of the country on Wednesday following the 'Bharat Bandh' protests, called by ten central trade unions, intensified. In Odisha, members of the Khordha District unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway at Bhubaneswar to support the 'Bharat Bandh'. In Kerala, shops and shopping malls in Kottayam remain closed in support of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by 10 central trade unions. Members of Biju Janata Dal's (RJD) students' wing blocked the train tracks at Jehanabad railway station in Bihar, supporting 'Bharat Bandh' called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates. In West Bengal, train services have been affected as protesters blocked tracks at various railway stations, including Jadavpur. Bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were seen wearing helmets on duty, a move initiated to ensure their safety. The state-run public transport authority has distributed helmets to drivers operating on various routes, except in the Darjeeling Hills region. In West Bengal, left parties' trade unions have been staging a 'Bharat Bandh' alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights. Defying police presence, members of the Left parties' union entered Jadavpur railway station to block the railway tracks to mark their protest against the central government's 'pro-corporate' policies. A heavy police force has been deployed near Jadavpur 8B bus stand, as private and state-run buses continue to operate in Jadavpur despite the 'Bharat Bandh'. 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.' However, bus services continued to operate in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, despite the Bharat Bandh protests. Under the 'Bandh', sectors such as state-run public transport, government offices, public sector units, banking and insurance services, postal operations, coal mining and industrial production are likely to be affected. The trade unions have alleged that the central government is implementing reforms that weaken workers' rights. 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.' The participating organisations include Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (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 the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). In a joint statement, the union forum criticised the government for not convening the annual labour conference for the past decade. They also resisted the implementation of the four labour codes passed in the parliament, alleging that the government aimed to weaken collective bargaining, crippling union activities and benefiting employers in the name of 'ease of doing business'. The trade union also criticised the government's economic policies, stating that they have led to unemployment, inflation of essential commodities, a decline in wages, a reduction in social sector expenditure on education, health and basic civic amenities. Through 'Bharat Bandh', the unions are demanding the recruitment on sanctioned posts, an increase in working days and wages of MNREGA. (ANI)
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Trade Unions stage Bharat Bandh across country, rail tracks blocked in Jadavpur
Jadavpur (West Bengal) [India], July 9 (ANI): Left parties' trade unions are staging a 'Bharat Bandh' alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights. 10 Central trade unions have called the Bandh. Defying police presence, members of the Left parties' union entered Jadavpur railway station in West Bengal to block the railway tracks to mark their protest against the central govt's 'pro-corporate' policies. Left parties' unions also took out a foot march in Jadavpur A heavy police force has been deployed near Jadavpur 8B bus stand, and bus drivers were seen wearing helmets for protection as private and state-run buses operate in Jadavpur despite the 'Bharat Bandh'. 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.' Under the 'Bandh', sectors such as state-run public transport, government offices, public sector units, banking and insurance services, postal operations, coal mining and industrial production are likely to be affected. The trade unions have alleged that the central government is implementing reforms that weaken workers' rights. 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 very dangerous exercise, and ultimately, the government is aiming to finish the democratic structure. Against that, the trade unions have given a call for a nationwide general strike.' The participating organisations include Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (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 the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). In a joint statement, the union forum criticised the government for not convening the annual labour conference for the past decade. They also resisted the implementation of the four labour codes passed in the parliament, alleging that that the government aim to weaken collective bargaining, crippling union activities and benefiting employers in the name of 'ease of doing business'. The trade union also criticised the government's economic policies, stating that they have led to unemployment, inflation of essential commodities, a decline in wages, a reduction in social sector expenditure on education, health and basic civic amenities. 'For the last 10 years, the government has not been holding the Indian Labour Conference and is continuously taking decisions against the interests of workers. The efforts to implement the four labour codes are aimed at weakening collective bargaining, crippling union activities and benefiting employers in the name of 'ease of doing business'. The economic policies of the government are leading to a rise in unemployment, inflation of essential commodities, a decline in wages, reduction in social sector expenditure on education, health and basic civic amenities. This is increasing inequality and misery for the poor, low-income groups and even the middle class,' the statement read. Through 'Bharat Bandh', the unions are demanding the recruitment on sanctioned posts, an increase in working days and wages of MNREGA. 'We are demanding that the government solve the problem of unemployment, recruit for sanctioned posts, create more jobs, increase the working days and wages of MNREGA and implement a similar law for urban areas. But instead, the government is engaged in imposing the ELI scheme, which benefits only the employers,' the joint statement read. (ANI)
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India.com
6 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Bharat Bandh: Ernakulam Shuts Down As Public Transport, Shops Hit By Nationwide Strike
Normal life was hit in Kerala's Ernakulam district on Wednesday with public transport and commercial establishments shut in the nationwide 'Bharat Bandh' by the combine of trade unions. Supporters of the strike blocked Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses from Ernakulam to Kozhikode. Many travellers were seen waiting at the bus stops, unable to get buses. Left parties' trade unions are staging a 'Bharat Bandh', alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights. 10 Central trade unions have called the Bandh. Under the 'Bandh', sectors such as state-run public transport, government offices, public sector units, banking and insurance services, postal operations, coal mining and industrial production are likely to be affected. The trade unions have alleged that the central government is implementing reforms that weaken workers' rights. 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 very dangerous exercise, and ultimately, the government is aiming to finish the democratic structure. Against that, the trade unions have given a call for a nationwide general strike." The participating organisations include Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (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 the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). In a joint statement, the union forum criticised the government for not convening the annual labour conference for the past decade. They also resisted the implementation of the four labour codes passed in the parliament, alleging that that the government aims to weaken collective bargaining, crippling union activities and benefiting employers in the name of 'ease of doing business'. The trade union also criticised the government's economic policies, stating that they have led to unemployment, inflation of essential commodities, a decline in wages, a reduction in social sector expenditure on education, health, and basic civic amenities. "For the last 10 years, the government has not been holding the Indian Labour Conference and is continuously taking decisions against the interests of workers. The efforts to implement the four labour codes are aimed at weakening collective bargaining, crippling union activities and benefiting employers in the name of 'ease of doing business'. The economic policies of the government are leading to a rise in unemployment, inflation of essential commodities, a decline in wages, reduction in social sector expenditure on education, health and basic civic amenities. This is increasing inequality and misery for the poor, low-income groups and even the middle class," the statement said. Through 'Bharat Bandh', the unions are demanding the recruitment on sanctioned posts, an increase in working days and wages of MNREGA. "We are demanding that the government solve the problem of unemployment, recruit for sanctioned posts, create more jobs, increase the working days and wages of MNREGA and implement a similar law for urban areas. But instead, the government is engaged in imposing the ELI scheme, which benefits only the employers," the joint statement read.
