Bharat Bandh today: People face inconvenience as strike disrupts government offices across country

With trade unions observing a day-long strike against the Centre's policies, the Congress on Thursday expressed support for them and Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government ignored the voices of workers and farmers while making decisions concerning their future. Gandhi wondered whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will listen to them now or if there is a "grip" on him too strong.

Many nationalised banks stayed closed as their employees took part in the strike. Workers from insurance companies, post offices, as well as laborers and farmers, also joined the protest, disrupting activities across their respective sectors.

Mohan Charan Majhi-led Odisha Government has directed the district collectors to take preventive measures to maintain law & order in view of Bharat Bandh. A notification has been issued in this regard by the state Home department. 

In Bengaluru, auto, taxi and transport drivers have extended support to the strike. Auto drivers are set to take part in a protest near Town Hall at 10 am. However, the Auto Association has stated that autorickshaw services will operate as usual.

Authorities have said that schools, colleges, banks, post offices, government offices, KSRTC and BMTC services will continue to function normally.

Members of various trade unions hit the streets in parts of Jharkhand during the 'Bharat Bandh' on Thursday, protesting the four labour codes. The agitators are staging demonstrations at the gates of various coal companies and PSUs as part of the nationwide general strike, called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions.

The nationwide shutdown called by 10 central trade unions failed to evoke much response in Tripura on Thursday. Government offices, banks, educational institutions, and markets remained open, while road transport and train services operated as usual across the state.

Government offices across Punjab were affected due to a joint strike by trade unions and farmer organizations. Employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPC) announced a day-long strike, leading to disruptions in electricity department services.

The strike has caused inconvenience to the public, as people visiting electricity board offices for official work faced significant difficulties due to the absence of staff and stalled services.

The Department of School Education and Literacy on Wednesday said that schools in Karnataka would function normally on Thursday and would not be affected by the Bharat Bandh called by labour and trade unions against the policies of the Union government.

“District commissioners are also allowed to take decisions in case of untoward incidents,” said Vikas Kishor Suralkar, Commissioner for School Education.

Opposition lawmakers have initiated a protest to support farmers amid Bharat Bandh by farm unions and trade bodies. Chants of “Kisano Par Hain Sankat Bhari, US Deal Hain Atyachari” echoed across the Parliament premises.

Officials have been instructed to persuade these workers not to take part in the protest. However, if they do participate, a departmental note has directed that schools must make alternative arrangements to ensure that meal services are not disrupted.

The development has put district administrations on alert. With 1.2 lakh kitchen workers potentially staying away from duty, schools face a significant logistical challenge in providing meals to lakhs of children, a key component of the school day in government and aided institutions.

Public transport has been affected by Bharat Bandh as workers have been actively participating in the strikes. 

Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress, stated that Thursday's strike will impact sectors including banking, insurance, postal services, transport, healthcare, coal and non-coal mining, gas pipelines, and electricity.

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi has extended support to Bharat Bandh. He criticised the government, saying workers and farmers were on the streets for their rights. 

Several Opposition parties, including AAP and Congress, have extended their support to Bharat Bandh. Several trade unions and farmers;’ groups are participating in the protest.

As per the organisers, over 30 crore workers across multiple sectors are expected to participate in the strike.

A nationwide strike has been called by several trade unions to protest against various policies of the central government. Visuals from several locations in Kolkata show buses parked at stands.

Trade Union Co-Ordination Centre, Odisha State Committee participated in the nationwide strike, which has been called by several trade unions to protest against various policies of the central government.

KSRTC workers’ unions and private bus associations in Kerala have announced their support for the nationwide strike organised by several trade unions. The strike, aimed at protesting against multiple central government policies, has seen widespread backing from both public and private transport sectors.

In Bengaluru, auto, taxi and transport drivers have extended support to the strike. Auto drivers are set to take part in a protest near Town Hall at 10 am. However, the Auto Association has stated that autorickshaw services will operate as usual.

Authorities have said that schools, colleges, banks, post offices, government offices, KSRTC and BMTC services will continue to function normally.

Jnanesh MP, the executive officer of Akshara Dasoha in Dakshina Kannada, said that many midday meal workers in the district will join the strike. He explained that to prevent problems, Mathru Samitis and SDMCs will cook and serve meals in schools. He added that similar backup arrangements are made whenever midday meal staff are absent due to protests.

After the nationwide strike called by various trade unions, the LDF  government in Kerala has declared a no work no pay for employees. The government issued an order late on Wednesday night stating that unauthorised absence will result in the withholding of salary.

State President of the National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) for West Bengal, Bumba Mukherjee, said the new labour codes were in the favour of workers. He said his group was protesting against this strike in the interest of workers.

As per the organisers, over 30 crore workers across multiple sectors are expected to participate in the strike.

The Congress Party has extended its support to the Bharat Bandh, saying they will always stand for workers and farmers. Party’s national general secretary, KC Venugopal, has released a letter in solidarity with the trade unions. 

Mohan Charan Majhi-led Odisha Government has directed the district collectors to take preventive measures to maintain law & order in view of Bharat Bandh. A notification has been issued in this regard by the state Home department. 

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is participating in the protest over the India-US trade deal. The farmers’ unions have said that the US will now export agricultural products in India, which would affect the market. 

Punjab's ruling party AAP on Wednesday extended support to the nationwide strike called on February 12 by the central trade unions and farmer bodies. In a statement here, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemned the BJP-led Union government's "anti-worker labour policies and anti-farmer economic decisions", and announced that its cadre across Punjab and the rest of the country would join the shutdown shoulder-to-shoulder with workers and farmers.

A nationwide Bharat Bandh is expected to lead to major disruptions in several regions. Residents are advised to check the situation in their local areas and plan their travel accordingly. Officials and banks have also urged people to finish any important financial or government-related tasks ahead of time to avoid inconvenience.

• Hospitals and other medical facilities
• Private offices
• Airports 
• ATMs
• Other essential service

• Markets and shops in major cities
• Public sector banks in several regions
• Government offices in most affected areas
• Public transport due to possible road blockades
• Schools and colleges

States including Kerala, Odisha and Karnataka are likely to witness a larger disruption. Trade unions are more active in these areas and an ardent protest is likely to happen here. 

In addition to demanding the withdrawal of the four labour codes, the unions have raised objections to other proposed laws and policies. These include the Draft Seed Bill, the Electricity Amendment Bill and the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act. They are also seeking the restoration of MGNREGA and the scrapping of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.

There is no official holiday for schools, colleges or any other educational institution in the country on Thursday (February 12). However, they will likely get affected in states like Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, where the bandh is likely to attract support from the people.

Among the major trade unions backing the strike are CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC. Several groups of farmers have also backed the strike.

People across the country may face disruptions due to the nation-wide "Bandh" call by trade unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. As per the claims by organisers, more than 30 crore people are likely to participate in the protest. Several services, including banking, transport, government offices in several areas, and local shops and street vendors, are expected to get affected by the 'Bharat Bandh'.