Date: July 9, 2025
By: Bharat Global Time News Desk
Nation Comes to a Standstill as Workers Rise in Unity
In what is being described as one of the largest worker-led protests in the world, over 25 crore (250 million) workers from across India participated in a nationwide general strike today, bringing highways, banking services, and transport networks to a halt. The strike, led by ten central trade unions, has received massive support from farmers, students, and employees of both public and private sectors.
Ground Impact: Cities on Pause, Streets Silent
From metro cities to rural towns, the ripple effects of the Bharat Bandh were visible everywhere.
Transport Paralysis
- Public transport services in states like West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, and parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka saw massive disruptions.
- In Kolkata, several government buses stayed off roads. Protesters were seen blocking tracks at Jadavpur and Sealdah railway stations.
- Highways in Odisha and Bihar were blocked by union workers, affecting movement of goods and people.
- In Bengaluru, municipal employees marched near Freedom Park, slowing traffic to a crawl.
Shops and Markets Closed
- Markets in Siliguri, Kottayam, Bhubaneswar, and parts of Mumbai remained largely shut.
- Many mall owners, traders’ associations, and petrol pump unions expressed solidarity and joined the bandh by halting business for the day.
Banking, Postal, and Government Services Hit
- Employees from banks, insurance, post offices, coal mines, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) joined the strike.
- In Mumbai, thousands of bank staff walked out of their offices, raising slogans against privatisation and wage stagnation.
What the Protesters Are Demanding
The protesting unions presented a 17-point charter of demands, centering on:
- Rollback of the four new labour codes, which they argue dilute worker protections.
- Opposition to privatisation of PSUs and contractualisation of permanent jobs.
- Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
- Implementation of a minimum wage of ₹26,000/month and universal pension of ₹9,000.
- Guaranteed MSP for farmers based on the Swaminathan Commission formula.
- Withdrawal of the controversial Agnipath military recruitment scheme.
- Halt to the electoral roll revision drive in Bihar, seen by many as politically biased.
Voices from the Ground
“This is not just about workers; it’s about the future of India’s economy. We cannot let corporates rule our lives while the common man suffers,”
– Suresh Routray, CITU leader from Odisha.
“Modi government talks about development, but what about the labourers? What about the farmer whose MSP is ignored?”
– Ranjita Das, protesting health worker from Bengal.
“We want our pension rights back. We gave our youth to the nation; they can’t discard us now.”
– Retired government employee, Patna.
What’s Still Running?
Despite the large-scale participation, some essential and daily services continued:
- Hospitals, emergency services, and police remained operational.
- Metro rail services in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai saw partial disruptions but kept running.
- Schools and private offices stayed open in some states, although attendance was low.
- Online services and digital banking were largely unaffected.
City-Wise Snapshot
| City | Status |
|---|---|
| Kolkata | Roads empty, rail tracks blocked |
| Bhubaneswar | National highways blocked |
| Mumbai | Bank workers strike, shops closed |
| Bengaluru | Civic workers march, traffic delays |
| Siliguri | Complete market shutdown |
| Chennai | Partial disruption in public transport |
Government Response
So far, the Union Labour Ministry has remained tight-lipped. No central negotiation or public response has been issued as of now. In some states, the local administration took a softer approach, avoiding confrontation with protesters to maintain law and order.
Police in West Bengal and Bihar detained several protest leaders temporarily to avoid escalation. However, no major clashes were reported till evening.
What Next?
This strike is not just a one-day agitation—it marks a turning point in the workers’ resistance movement. With no signs of the government rolling back key reforms, unions have warned of larger coordinated movements in the coming months.
For many citizens, today was an inconvenience. But for the workers and farmers, it was a loud message: “We will not be silenced.”
Editor’s Note:
The Bharat Bandh of July 2025 is not just about wages or jobs. It’s about a growing feeling that India’s working class is being left behind. With nearly every sector touched by the strike today, the message to policymakers is clear—listen to the workers, or risk losing them.
Stay tuned to Bharat Global Time for live updates, regional reactions, and exclusive interviews from the ground.
