Bharat Bandh on Feb 12, what will be its impact? What are the demands?
Trade unions have called for a Bharat Bandh on February 12. Trade unions and farmers' unions have called for a nationwide strike. Normal life is expected to be disrupted by this Bharat Bandh on February 12th. Trade unions, farmers' organizations, and several social organizations have called this strike to protest government policies. This strike is against labor reforms and other policies. The unions say these policies undermine workers' rights and security.
This Bharat Bandh has been called by a joint platform of ten central trade unions, including AITUC, INTUC, CITU, HMS, TUCC, SEWA, AIUTUC, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), agricultural labor organizations, student and youth organizations are also supporting it.
Widespread impact
Today's Bharat Bandh is expected to have widespread impact. Government banks and insurance offices, government offices, public sector enterprises, state transport bus services in some states, industrial units and manufacturing hubs, key sectors such as coal and steel (depending on local participation), and work under the MGNREGA in protest areas may be affected. Shops may also remain closed in some locations. Unions claim that around 30 crore workers may participate in this strike.
According to Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), participation this time may be higher than in previous movements. He reported that approximately 25 crore people participated in the July 9, 2025, protest. Unions say the impact of the shutdown could be felt in more than 600 districts, compared to last year's impact limited to about 550 districts.
Union leaders say the strike aims to pressure for stronger social security measures and protection of workers' rights. They are protesting against four new labor codes. They argue that these codes weaken workers' rights, reduce job security, and make it easier for employers to hire and fire employees.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha has supported the strike
Other demands include the withdrawal of the draft Seed Bill, the Electricity Amendment Bill, and the Peace Act, strengthening the MGNREGA, and withdrawing the Guaranteed Developed India – Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, 2025. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has supported the strike due to concerns about the India-US interim trade agreement. Hannan Mollah, the group's convener, said that this agreement could flood Indian markets with cheap American imports, affecting farmers' livelihoods.
Emergency services will continue
However, hospitals and emergency services, ambulances and essential healthcare services, metro services, private offices and IT companies, government schools and colleges, and train services can operate normally. The unions' key demands include the repeal of the Labor Code, increasing and strengthening the MGNREGA budget, repealing certain civil service policies, implementing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) instead of the New Pension Scheme, and withdrawing the New Education Policy 2020.
The government has also made preparations for the Bharat Bandh. Essential services have been excluded from the shutdown, and security forces will be deployed to maintain law and order. The administration has appealed to the public to avoid rumors and rely only on official information. This Bharat Bandh on February 12th may cause some inconvenience to the general public.