Bharat Bandh on July 9: What’s Open, What’s Closed Amid Nationwide Strike by 25 Crore Workers.
India is bracing for a massive nationwide strike on Wednesday, July 9, as more than 25 crore workers affiliated with central and sectoral trade unions gear up for a Bharat Bandh. The day-long strike is expected to affect public transport, industrial operations, and routine services in several states.
This will be the 22nd general strike since the beginning of India’s liberalisation era in 1991.
Why the Strike?
- The strike has been called in protest against:
- The new labour codes
- Privatisation of public sector enterprises and assets
- Low minimum wages
- The Agnipath scheme for military recruitment
And the demand for restoring the old pension scheme
Unions are pressing for a minimum wage of ₹26,000, an 8-hour workday guarantee, EPFO pension of ₹9,000/month, and the withdrawal of fixed-term employment rules.
Who’s Behind the Bharat Bandh?
A coalition of 10 central trade unions is organising the strike. These include:
INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress)
AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress)
CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions)
HMS, SEWA, TUCC, AIUTUC, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC
The strike was originally planned for May 20, but postponed after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
What Services Could Be Disrupted?
Public Transport
Bus services, autos, and taxis in union-heavy states like West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra may be affected.
App-based cabs (Ola, Uber) may run in limited numbers.
Railways are not officially part of the strike, but demonstrations at stations could lead to delays.
Schools, Offices & Institutions
Most schools, colleges, and private businesses are expected to remain open, unless local protests force temporary closures.
Government offices and public sector units may report lower attendance.
No state has announced official closures of educational institutions yet.
What Will Remain Open?
Hospitals and emergency services
Police and essential administrative services
Water and electricity supply
Retail shops, malls, and restaurants (subject to local protest impact)
What to Expect
While the full extent of disruption will vary from state to state, people in metro cities may experience traffic delays, protest rallies, and slowdown in public transport. Essential services will be largely unaffected, but public-facing sectors may operate on limited capacity.
For real-time updates, follow local advisories and check transport availability in your region.
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