Bharat Bandh on July 9, 2025: Over 25 Crore Workers to Strike Nationwide – Key Details

New Delhi, July 8, 2025: India is set for a nationwide protest, the Bharat Bandh, on Wednesday, July 9. It’s been called by ten central trade unions, with support from farmers’ and rural workers’ groups. Over 250 million people are expected to join, from both formal and informal jobs. The protest is against government policies, which unions say hurt workers and farmers while helping big companies. Major sectors like banks, transport, and postal services might be disrupted. Here’s what you need to know about the Bharat Bandh, the reasons behind it, and its likely impact. 

Why the Bharat Bandh? Key Demands and Grievances

According to India TV and different media reports Bharat Bandh is not just some random protest. It’s a massive shout from workers and farmers who are, frankly, sick of feeling like the government’s sidekicks while big business gets the VIP treatment. We’re talking all the big union names—INTUC, AITUC, CITU, SEWA—you name it, they’re all in. Seventeen demands, apparently collecting dust on some minister’s desk, finally pushed them over the edge. It seems that Bharat Bandh impact on Karnataka may be very low. 

Amarjeet Kaur from AITUC isn’t mincing words either. She says, “Yeah, we’re expecting over 250 million people to hit the streets.” That’s not a protest, that’s practically the population of a small continent. And it’s not just city folks; farmers and rural workers are gearing up to join in everywhere.

What’s got everyone so riled up? Well, those new labour codes for starters. Unions say they mess with collective bargaining, jack up working hours, and basically let employers get away with breaking the rules. Sprinkle in the usual suspects—privatizing public sector jobs, outsourcing gigs, unemployment climbing, the rich-poor gap just getting wider—and you’ve got the perfect recipe for outrage.

And let us not forget the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. Remember the farmer protests from 2020-21? Yeah, those guys. They are all-in, especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, and Karnataka. So, if you thought this was just business as usual, well, buckle up. This one may gonna be loud.

What’s Open and What’s Closed? Expected 10 Disruptions

The Bharat Bandh is set to impact public life significantly, with major disruptions expected in urban and rural areas. Here’s a detailed look at what services may be affected and what is likely to remain operational:
1) Banking Services: Public sector banks may face partial or complete shutdowns as unions like the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) participate. ATMs and online banking could remain functional, but branch operations may be hit. Private banks are expected to operate normally.

2) Public Transport: Buses, taxis, and app-based cabs could be disrupted in cities due to protest marches and road blockades. While no confirmed railway strike has been announced, possible delays are expected.

3) Postal Services: Mail delivery and post office counters may face disruptions due to postal workers’ participation.

4) Power Supply: With over 27 lakh power sector employees joining the strike, localized outages or delayed responses to complaints are possible, particularly in cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai.

5) Mining and Industrial Units: Workers from the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and other public sector steel and mining firms will participate, potentially halting operations.

6)Schools and Colleges: No official closure has been announced, and educational institutions are expected to remain open. However, transport disruptions may affect attendance in some regions.

7) Government Offices: While no holiday has been declared, operations may slow down due to staff absenteeism.

8) Stock Markets: The BSE and NSE will function normally, with trading from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

9) Essential Services: Hospitals, emergency services, and police are expected to operate without interruption, though road access may be temporarily affected.

10) Private Sector: Shops, markets, restaurants, and private offices are likely to remain open unless local protests force temporary closures.

The strike, beginning early on July 9, is expected to see protest marches, road demonstrations, and rural mobilizations, particularly in states with strong union presence. Previous bandhs on November 26, 2020, March 28-29, 2022, and February 16, 2024, saw similar disruptions, indicating the scale of impact anticipated tomorrow.
The Labour Ministry has not issued any statement ahead of the bandh, leaving uncertainty about potential negotiations. As India braces for this unified show of resistance, citizens are advised to plan travel and essential tasks in advance to mitigate disruptions.
Keywords: Bharat Bandh, July 9 2025, nationwide strike, trade unions, 25 crore workers, labour reforms, privatization, Samyukta Kisan Morcha, anti-worker policies, banking disruptions, transport strike, postal services, farmers protest, India news, public services