A nationwide Bharat Bandh called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, and others, along with support from farmer organizations such as the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), disrupted normal life in several parts of India on February 12, 2026. The 24-hour general strike was organized to protest against the central government's policies, particularly the four Labour Codes, which unions claim weaken workers' rights, facilitate easier hiring and firing, and reduce social security protections. Additional grievances include opposition to proposed bills like the Electricity Bill 2025 and Seed Bill 2025, changes to rural employment schemes such as MGNREGA, and concerns over the recent India-US interim trade agreement, which farmer groups argue could harm Indian agriculture by allowing cheaper imports and undermining local producers.
The strike saw significant participation, with union leaders estimating that over 30 crore workers joined across more than 600 districts. Banking services faced partial disruptions, particularly in public sector banks, where employee participation led to limited operations, delays in transactions, and some branches functioning with reduced staff. Authorities and banks like State Bank of India had pre-warned customers of potential impacts, though branches remained officially open and digital services continued largely unaffected. Transport services were among the hardest hit, with public buses, state-run transport corporations, and local commuter vehicles suspended or operating on reduced schedules in multiple regions, causing inconvenience for daily passengers.
In Kerala, the bandh brought normal life to a near standstill, severely affecting government functioning, public transport, and commercial activities, with reports describing it as one of the most impacted states. Odisha experienced disruptions in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Rourkela, where transport services were notably affected. Similar effects were reported in Assam, including vehicle stoppages in Guwahati, and varying degrees of impact in Karnataka and other states where local unions extended support. Markets and local shops remained partially or fully closed in areas with strong participation, while some schools and colleges adjusted operations based on local conditions.
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Essential services remained largely operational throughout the day. Hospitals, emergency medical care, ambulance services, air travel, and railway operations continued without major interruptions, though passengers were advised to check for possible delays due to traffic or local protests. Private offices generally functioned normally, and no official bank holiday was declared by the Reserve Bank of India. The strike highlighted ongoing tensions between trade unions, farmer groups, and the government over labour reforms and economic policies perceived as pro-corporate.
Overall, while the bandh did not uniformly paralyze the country—with responses described as lukewarm in places like West Bengal—the targeted disruptions in key sectors underscored the scale of mobilization by workers and farmers. Union representatives emphasized the action as a form of resistance to what they describe as anti-worker and anti-farmer measures, drawing attention to demands for repeal of the labour codes and better protections for India's vast workforce.
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