Bharat Bandh sees over 250 million workers join nationwide strike against ‘anti-worker’ policies

On 9 July, 250 million workers from diverse sectors in India – including banking, insurance, postal services and coal mining – participated in a nationwide general strike called by a forum of 10 central trade unions. The strike, or ‘Bharat Bandh’, was held in protest against what the unions describe as “anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies” of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led Union Government.

By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 11 August 2025