India is bracing for a major nationwide strike on Wednesday, July 9, as more than 25 crore workers from sectors like banking, insurance, postal, construction, and public transport are expected to join the Bharat Bandh, according to a joint forum of 10 central trade unions.
Disruptions Expected Across Key Sectors
Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of Hind Mazdoor Sabha told PTI that services across the country—including banking operations, coal mining, state transport, and factories—will likely face major disruptions.
Will Banks Be Closed?
While there is no official bank holiday, operations are expected to be severely affected. Bank employee associations, including the Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association affiliated with AIBEA, have extended support to the strike. Customers may face delays in services like cheque clearance, cash transactions, and account-related services.
What About Schools and Colleges?
Educational institutions—including schools and colleges—are expected to remain open. No closure has been announced by the government in connection with the strike. However, individual institutions may take a call depending on local circumstances or safety concerns.
Will There Be Power Outages?
Over 27 lakh power sector employees are set to join the strike, raising concerns over possible disruptions in electricity supply. Though large-scale outages are not guaranteed, some regions may experience brief interruptions.
Is Train Travel Affected?
As of now, Indian Railways has not announced any suspension or delay due to the Bharat Bandh. However, localized protests and roadblocks may impact train schedules and commuter mobility.
Why the Bharat Bandh?
The strike is being held in protest against the government’s alleged anti-worker and anti-farmer policies. The trade unions have also raised concerns over rising unemployment, stagnant wages, inflation, and the delay in holding the Indian Labour Conference for the last 10 years.
They accuse the government of favoring corporate interests at the expense of workers’ rights, and of pushing through four labour codes that weaken trade unions and collective bargaining power.
Bottom Line:
While schools and colleges may function normally, expect major slowdowns in banking, insurance, transport, and postal services. Commuters and service users are advised to plan ahead.