Bharat Bandh 2026: 30 Crore Workers Join Nationwide Strike; Mixed Response, Massive Turnout in Several States
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NEW DELHI – A coalition of over 10 central trade unions, backed by farmers’ bodies and opposition political parties, observed a nationwide Bharat Bandh on February 12, 2026, protesting what they termed the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies .
Union leaders claimed that over 30 crore (300 million) workers participated in the day-long general strike—surpassing the 25 crore turnout recorded during the July 2025 nationwide protest . However, the response was highly uneven across the country, with severe disruptions in Kerala, Odisha, Assam, and parts of Telangana, while states like Gujarat, West Bengal, and Karnataka reported near-normal functioning .
📌 Why the Bharat Bandh? Key Demands Explained
The strike was called by a joint platform of central trade unions including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC . Their primary demands included:
| Demand | Details |
|---|---|
| Scrap the four Labour Codes | Unions allege the codes reduce job security, weaken statutory safeguards, and give employers unchecked power over hiring and retrenchment . |
| Withdraw Electricity Bill 2025 & Seed Bill 2025 | Critics claim these bills promote privatization and harm small farmers . |
| Restore MGNREGA & Old Pension Scheme (OPS) | Protesters demand reversal of the VB-G RAM G Act 2025 and restoration of the defined-benefit pension scheme . |
| Oppose India-US Trade Deal | Farmers’ bodies, led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) , allege the interim trade framework “surrenders” Indian agriculture to cheap US imports, threatening farmer livelihoods . |
| Scrap SHANTI Act & NEP 2020 | Additional demands include withdrawal of nuclear energy and education policies . |
Hannan Mollah, SKM convenor, publicly demanded the resignation of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, stating: “This agreement is a betrayal of farmers. We have surrendered to the United States. Our farmers will be ruined.” .
📍 State-Wise Impact: Complete Shutdown vs Business as Usual
The bandh witnessed a sharp North-South and East-West divide, with participation largely concentrated in opposition-ruled states and Left-backed industrial belts.
🔴 Severe Impact (Near-Total Shutdown)
Kerala: Widespread shutdown. Shops remained shuttered, government buses off roads, and streets in major cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi wore a deserted look .
Odisha & Assam: Officials confirmed near-complete bandh with markets closed and transport services disrupted .
Tamil Nadu: Government bus services between Tamil Nadu and Kerala were completely suspended. Processions reported in industrial belts .
Bihar & Puducherry: Protests and marches reported; partial shutdown .
🟡 Partial Impact (Mixed Response)
Punjab: AAP government verbally supported the bandh, but PSPCL issued official warnings threatening ‘no work, no pay’ and disciplinary action against striking employees—exposing a blatant double standard. Despite this, union leaders claimed over 50% power sector staff joined the strike . Transport unions supported the bandh, but private buses and most markets remained open .
Telangana: Transport, banking, and government services partially affected. Congress extended support; district authorities given flexibility on school closures .
Maharashtra & Goa: Banking operations affected in Goa, but essential services functioned. Partial disruption in Mumbai industrial areas .
🟢 Minimal/No Impact
Gujarat: Largely unaffected. Markets, industries, schools, and public transport operated normally. PSU banks saw some employee absenteeism, but branches functioned .
West Bengal: Strike failed to evoke response. Buses plied, government and private offices recorded normal attendance .
Karnataka: Schools functioned normally. NFITU (Karnataka) openly distanced itself from the strike, calling it “politically motivated” and supporting the Labour Codes .
Delhi-NCR: Limited impact. TUCC and BMS leaders backed government reforms and termed the bandh politically motivated .
🏛️ Traders Distance Themselves; CAIT Clarifies ‘Business as Usual’
A major blow to the bandh’s credibility came from the trading community.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) , led by National Secretary General and MP Praveen Khandelwal, issued a clarification on February 12 stating that no national traders’ organization had called for a bandh. All wholesale and retail markets would remain fully open .
“The organized trade sector does not support any such bandh. The general public is requested not to pay attention to any rumors or misleading information.”
— Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT .
This effectively neutralized the bandh’s impact in major trading hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat .
⚖️ Union Divide: Pro-Government vs Pro-Strike
The February 12 strike laid bare a deep ideological rift within India’s labour movement.
✅ Pro-Government Unions (Opposed Strike)
NFITU (Karnataka): President V. Venkatesh instructed affiliated unions not to participate, praising the Modi government’s labour codes as “beneficial for workers” .
TUCC (Delhi-NCR): National General Secretary Sheo Prasad Tiwari called the strike “politically motivated” and “harmful to the working class” .
BMS (Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh): Supported the four labour codes, stating they were drafted after extensive consultation and would benefit 44 crore workers, including gig economy employees .
🔴 Pro-Strike Unions
AITUC, CITU, INTUC, HMS, SEWA, AIUTTU, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC: Actively mobilized workers; claimed participation across 600+ districts .
🚧 Services Affected: What Worked, What Didn’t
📊 Participation Claims vs On-Ground Reality
🗣️ Political Reactions: Accusations of ‘Double Standards’
🔹 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Publicly supported the bandh, alleging the India-US trade deal “ruins traders and agriculture” .
However, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) issued a caution letter threatening striking employees with dismissal, pension cuts, and promotion stalls. Union leaders termed this “height of hypocrisy” .
🔹 BJP
Termed the strike “political opportunism”. Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal alleged opposition parties were using labour issues to disrupt reforms .
🔹 Congress
Extended full solidarity. AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal directed Telangana PCC to support the agitation .
📅 What Next?
Unions have threatened escalation if the government does not open dialogue. AITUC has indicated possible sector-specific strikes in March 2026 .
Government maintains that the four Labour Codes are non-negotiable and are designed to modernize India’s labour framework, benefiting formal and gig workers alike .
Farmers’ bodies (SKM) plan to continue protests against the India-US trade deal, with potential rail roko or Delhi Chalo marches in the coming weeks .
🧾 Conclusion: A Bandh of Two Indias
The February 12, 2026 Bharat Bandh was not a singular national shutdown—it was a tale of two Indias. In Kerala, Odisha, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, it brought life to a halt. In Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Delhi-NCR, it passed like a normal working day.
What emerged clearly was:
Trade unions are deeply divided. Pro-government unions like BMS and NFITU openly backed the Labour Codes .
Traders refused to participate. CAIT’s clarification crippled the bandh in commercial capital cities .
Farmers remain a potent force. SKM’s mobilization over the India-US trade deal kept rural protests alive .
Political double standards exposed. AAP’s Punjab model—supporting the bandh while punishing employees who joined it—drew sharp criticism .
As the sun set on February 12, both sides claimed victory. But the real verdict was written in the starkly divergent ground reports from India’s states.
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