New Delhi: India braces for widespread disruption today as over 25 crore workers across a multitude of sectors are set to participate in a nationwide general strike, dubbed ‘Bharat Bandh’. Called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, the strike is a powerful protest against what they describe as the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national pro-corporate policies.”
From banking and insurance to postal services and coal mining, an unprecedented number of employees are expected to cease work, signaling deep-seated discontent with current economic policies. Key sectors like state transport, highways, construction, and public sector enterprises are also anticipated to be severely impacted, effectively bringing large parts of the country to a standstill.
The unions, including prominent bodies like AITUC, CITU, and HMS, have articulated a 17-point charter of demands. At the forefront is the demand for the scrapping of the four new labour codes, which unions allege are designed to weaken collective bargaining, increase working hours, and erode workers’ rights. They also accuse the government of neglecting to hold the annual labour conference for a decade and promoting rampant privatization and contractualization of jobs.
ALSO READ: Shubhanshu Shukla Thanks ISRO Chief on Axiom-4 Mission
Support for the ‘Bharat Bandh’ has also poured in from farmer organizations, notably the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, and agricultural workers’ unions. They plan to mobilize in rural areas, highlighting concerns over unemployment, rising prices, and reduced social welfare spending, thus amplifying the strike’s reach and impact.
Previous nationwide strikes have been observed in November 2020, March 2022, and February 2023. However, this current strike is anticipated to be one of the largest in terms of participation and potential disruption, underscoring the growing solidarity among various worker and farmer groups against the government’s economic agenda. As the day unfolds, the nation watches closely to see the full extent of this massive show of dissent.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News