Bharat Bandh: nationwide general strike today, check what’s open and what’s not

Bharat Bandh: A nationwide general strike, or ‘Bharat Bandh’, is expected on July 9, 2025, with over 25 crore workers participating to protest the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies. Bharat Bandh: nationwide general strike today,check what’s open and what’s not.

This strike, called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions and supported by various farmers’ and rural workers’ organizations, is likely to significantly affect public life and services across India.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s open and what’s not:

Likely to be affected/closed:

Banking and Insurance Services: Operations are expected to be significantly affected, especially in public sector and cooperative banks, due to high union participation. While no formal banking holiday has been announced, services at branches and ATMs are likely to be hit.

Postal Services: Postal operations are likely to be disrupted.

Coal Mining and Industrial Production: Coal mining operations and other industrial production units are expected to be impacted.

State-run Public Transport: State transport networks, including public buses and potentially app-based taxi services, may face disruptions, delays, or limited availability due to protests, rallies, and roadblocks. In some states like Assam, drivers and transport workers have announced a 24-hour strike.

Government Offices and Public Sector Units (PSUs): Many government offices and PSUs are expected to see disruptions due to employee participation.

Electricity Supply: Over 27 lakh power sector employees are joining the strike, which could lead to disruptions or outages in various parts of the country.

Farmer-led Rallies in Rural Areas: Farmer groups will mobilize extensively, leading to protests and disruptions in rural areas.

Likely to remain open/operational:

Schools and Colleges: No official notification has been issued regarding the closure of schools, colleges, or government offices. These institutions are generally expected to remain open. However, transport disruptions might cause delays for students and staff. Parents and students are advised to monitor local updates.

Private Offices and Businesses: Private offices and businesses are generally expected to operate as usual, unless impacted by transport issues or local circumstances.

Metro Services and Air Travel: Metro services and air travel are expected to remain largely unaffected.

Rail Services: Railway unions have not formally joined the protest, so a complete railway shutdown is not anticipated. However, localized delays and heightened security at major transit points may occur due to protests or logistical impacts.

Hospitals and Emergency Services: Hospitals, emergency services, internet, and mobile networks are expected to function normally.

Key reasons for the strike:

The trade unions have listed 17 demands, including:

Protesting against the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies.

Objections to the four labor codes passed by Parliament, which unions argue weaken workers’ rights, dilute trade union power, and extend working hours.

Protest against the ongoing privatization of public assets and services.

Demand for addressing unemployment, increasing wages, and improving social security.
Commuters and citizens are advised to monitor local news and updates and plan their travel accordingly, especially for Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Also Read: Bharat Bandh on July 9: School, bank, office will close tomorrow?