Nationwide protest against Centre’s economic and labour policies halts public sector operations; farmers, SEWA, and power sector employees extend support.
📢 Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Updates – July 9, 2025
India is witnessing a large-scale nationwide strike today as more than 25 crore workers from across sectors join the Bharat Bandh, protesting what trade unions have labelled as “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies of the central government.
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The bandh is spearheaded by a forum of 10 central trade unions, with backing from informal sector workers, farmers’ groups like Samyukta Kisan Morcha, and SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association).
🔴 Major Sectors Affected:
- Banking & Insurance:
Employees from banks and insurance firms are participating, causing disruption in services despite no official banking holiday. - Transport:
Public transport across Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai is hit. In West Bengal, shops are shut and roads deserted. In Kolkata, even bus drivers wore helmets amid tension. - Power Sector:
Over 27 lakh electricity workers are participating, possibly causing power outages in some states. - Postal, Coal, and Industrial Units:
Operations have slowed or halted in many public sector units.
🗺️ City-Wise Impact Overview:
- Kolkata:
Roads empty, shops shut, buses run under heavy police deployment. - Bengaluru:
Possible disruptions in transport, banks, and power supply expected. - Mumbai:
Banks and postal services likely affected. Trains, schools, and private offices to run normally. - Kerala:
KSRTC buses running normally; Minister confirms no union notice received.
🕊️ Key Voices from the Ground:
- Dibas Choubey (CITU Vice President, Darjeeling):
“Privatisation, unemployment, and inflation have left no future for India. This bandh is a cry for change.” - Union Response:
Trade unions refuted government claims that some unions had withdrawn. They called it a “tactic to intimidate” workers.
📜 Historical Context:
This marks the 22nd general strike since 1991’s economic liberalisation, a continued resistance to what trade bodies perceive as neglect of social welfare in favour of corporatisation.
The bandh was originally planned for May 20 but was postponed in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
✅ What Remains Open:
- Schools & Colleges
- Private Offices
- Railways (with potential minor delays)
- Kerala State Transport Buses (KSRTC)
🏷️ Tags:
Bharat Bandh 2025, Bharat Bandh LIVE updates, Bharat Bandh news today, July 9 strike, trade union protest, India strike news, Kolkata bandh, Mumbai bandh, Power sector strike, Farmers protest, SEWA, CITU, Banking strike India
📲 Hashtags:
#BharatBandh #StrikeIndia #BharatBandh2025 #TradeUnions #BankStrike #PowerOutage #FarmersProtest #KolkataShutdown #MumbaiUpdates #PublicSectorProtest