A major nationwide strike — Bharat Bandh 2025 — has been called for Wednesday, and it is likely to affect several sectors across India. Over 25 crore (250 million) employees from various industries, including banking, insurance, coal mining, and highway construction, are expected to participate in the protest.
The strike has been organized by 10 central trade unions and their affiliated units, who are opposing what they describe as the government’s anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national policies. The bandh is expected to disrupt essential services, which may significantly impact daily life.
If the strike gains momentum, the following services are likely to remain shut:
Banking operations (public sector banks expected to be heavily impacted)
Insurance company services
Post office operations
Coal mining and related activities
State transport services (government-run buses may be off the roads)
Highway construction and infrastructure development
Production units in government-run factories and PSUs
Despite the strike, some essential and private services are expected to function normally:
Most private sector companies and offices
Hospitals and emergency medical services
Private schools and colleges, including online learning platforms
The trade unions allege that the central government is favoring large corporates at the cost of workers and farmers. Key grievances include:
Shrinking job opportunities and wage cuts
Dilution of labor laws and weakening of unions
Lack of government intervention in support of farmers and laborers
Alleged privatization of public sector assets and services
Union leaders claim the bandh is a way to defend the rights of workers and farmers and to send a strong message against the policies that they believe endanger livelihoods and democratic rights.
If you are planning to visit a bank, post office, or government office, it’s advisable to reschedule or check service availability in advance. While emergency medical services are expected to operate normally, some delays in public transport and supply chains cannot be ruled out.