July 9 Bharat Bandh: Will Schools, Colleges and Banks Be Closed On Tuesday Amid Nationwide Strike?

A nationwide strike, known as Bharat Bandh is set for July 9, 2025. Organised by trade unions and farmer groups, it protests government policies perceived as favouring corporations over workers. The strike expects participation from over 25 crore workers across various sectors, potentially impacting banking, transport, and public services. Concerns include changes to labour laws, privatisation efforts, and increasing rural distress.

Schools, colleges, and private offices are anticipated to remain open on July 9. However, disruptions in normal operations might occur due to transport issues. Public buses, taxis, and app-based cab services could face interruptions as protest marches and road demonstrations take place in several cities. Commuters should plan for potential traffic diversions and longer travel times.

Impact on Banking Services

While banking unions haven't confirmed service disruptions due to the bandh, organisers suggest financial services will be affected. Employees from public sector banks and cooperative banking sectors are expected to participate. This may impact branch services, cheque clearance, and customer support in many regions.

The strike is expected to affect multiple sectors including banking and financial services, postal departments, coal mining, factories, state transport services, public sector units, and government departments. Workers from companies like NMDC and various state-run entities in the steel and mineral sectors have confirmed their participation.

Railway Services During Bharat Bandh

No official announcement has been made regarding a nationwide railway strike on July 9. However, large-scale protests and road blockades are anticipated in several parts of the country. This may lead to train service delays or disruptions in certain regions. Authorities are likely to deploy additional security personnel around key railway hubs to ensure smooth operations.

The unions involved in the protest include major national bodies such as the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).

Reasons Behind the Strike

The trade unions claim their concerns have been ignored despite submitting a 17-point charter of demands to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year. They allege that the government has not conducted the Indian Labour Conference in ten years and is pushing four new labour codes that weaken unions while increasing working hours.

Farmer groups and rural labour organisations have also extended their support for the bandh. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and agricultural workers' unions plan to mobilise villagers against economic decisions they claim worsen rural distress. They allege rising unemployment, higher prices of essential goods, cuts in health spending, education reductions, and welfare spending cuts.

Additional Concerns Raised

The unions have raised alarms over alleged misuse of constitutional institutions and laws like Maharashtra's Public Security Bill which they claim aim to criminalise protests. They also express concerns about attempts to disenfranchise migrant workers through voter list revisions in Bihar and threats to citizenship rights.

The organisers assert that the four new labour codes passed by Parliament are designed to "suppress and cripple the trade union movement." They argue these codes increase working hours while undermining workers' rights to collective bargaining and striking.

This Bharat Bandh represents a unified show of resistance from both industrial and rural India against policies perceived as detrimental to workers' interests.