Bharat Bandh Rocks Odisha: Industrial Cities Hit Hard, Mixed Response Across State
Nationwide trade union strike disrupts industrial areas and traffic in Odisha amid mixed response.
The nationwide Bharat Bandh on Thursday, called by ten central trade unions, elicited a mixed response in Odisha, disrupting normal life and halting economic activity in several regions. Industrial hubs like Rourkela and Angul witnessed near-total shutdowns, with shops, offices, and factories remaining closed.
Union members staged picketing at markets, bus stops, and railway stations, while road blockades on National and State Highways brought traffic to a standstill for hours. In contrast, the strike saw only partial compliance in urban centers like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, where a few large establishments closed but normal life largely continued.
The protesting unions — including CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC — along with over 50 independent organisations representing banks, insurance, and government employees, have criticized the Union government’s pro-corporate policies and alleged anti-worker measures.
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Key demands include the repeal of the four labour codes enacted by the central government, as well as opposition to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB–G RAM G), which replaced the long-standing MGNREGA program. Protesters also raised broader concerns over farmer and labour welfare.
Political parties in Odisha, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), expressed support for the strike, framing it as a protest against central government policies deemed anti-people. The bandh highlights growing tensions between trade unions, political parties, and the Union government over labour reforms.
The response to Bharat Bandh varied across sectors, with industrial belts seeing maximum disruption, while smaller towns and cities experienced limited impact, reflecting the uneven reach of union-led protest actions across the state.
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