Bharat Bandh Highlights: Markets in Delhi remain open amid nationwide strike call by trade unions

Coming out strongly in support of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, the BJP on Wednesday lashed out at the opposition parties for holding a bandh in the state against the exercise and asked if they want illegal infiltrators, including Rohingyas, to vote in elections.

Addressing a press conference here, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned the motive behind the strike, asking the opposition parties if they are trying to pressure the judiciary by such tactics.

“All these leaders have approached the Supreme Court, which is their right, and when the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, why are they engaging in street politics today to exert pressure?” he said.

Tourist taxi services between Assam and Meghalaya were suspended on Wednesday as part of a nationwide 'chakka jam' called by central trade unions and national federations, PTI reported. The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) had earlier announced that no tourist taxi will operate from Meghalaya to Guwahati or any other part of Assam on July 9 in support of the nationwide strike.

Normal life was hit in Kerala's Ernakulam district on Wednesday with public transport and commercial establishments shut in the nationwide 'Bharat Bandh' by the combine of trade unions, ANI reported. Supporters of the strike blocked Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses from Ernakulam to Kozhikode. Many were seen waiting at the bus stops, unable to get buses.

Left parties' trade unions are staging a 'Bharat Bandh' alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights. 10 Central trade unions have called the Bandh. Defying police presence, members of the Left parties' union entered Jadavpur railway station in West Bengal to block the railway tracks to mark their protest against the central govt's "pro-corporate" policies. Left parties' unions also took out a foot march in Jadavpur.

Public transportation was disrupted in various parts of the country on Wednesday following the 'Bharat Bandh' protests, called by ten central trade unions, intensified.

In Odisha, members of the Khordha District unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway at Bhubaneswar to support the 'Bharat Bandh'. Members of Biju Janata Dal's (RJD) students' wing blocked the train tracks at Jehanabad railway station in Bihar, supporting 'Bharat Bandh' called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates.

In West Bengal, train services have been affected as protesters blocked tracks at various railway stations, including Jadavpur. However, bus services continued to operate in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, despite the Bharat Bandh protests. (ANI)

Shops and shopping malls remain closed in Kottayam, Kerala, in support of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by 10 central trade unions, alleging the central govt of pushing "pro-corporate" policies.

Bharat Bandh Live: Buses ply as usual in Chennai despite strike

Members of Khordha district unit of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) block the national highway at Bhubaneswar, supporting 'Bharat Bandh' called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions against "pro-corporate" policies of the central government.

CITU president, Khordha District, Suresh Routray says, " Modi govt is supporting only Adani and Ambani but not the labourers. We are demanding a minimum pension of Rs 9000 per month..."

Bharat Bandh Live: Left parties' unions participate in nationwide strike

• Left parties' unions participate in the 'Bharat Bandh' by taking out a foot march in Jadavpur, Kolkata.
• The 'Bandh' has been called by 10 central trade unions, alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms that weaken workers' rights.

The workers' union forum slammed the government for failing to hold the annual labour conference for the past decade. The forum also accused the administration of acting against workers' interests by pushing for the implementation of the four labour codes. The forum claimed these codes are designed to "weaken collective bargaining, cripple union activities, and favour employers under the guise of 'ease of doing business'."

As a forum of 10 trade unions calls a nationwide strike, banking services are likely to be hit. A bank employees' group has confirmed that the banking sector will take part in the Bharat Bandh scheduled for Wednesday. The Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association, which is affiliated with the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), has publicly declared its support for the strike. Additionally, the insurance sector is also expected to join the protest.

Meanwhile, there has been no official directive mandating the closure of schools or colleges in connection with the Bharat Bandh. Educational institutions are expected to operate as usual on Wednesday.

While railway unions have not formally declared their involvement in the Bharat Bandh, there could still be indirect effects on train operations.

In cities across the country, road transport services such as public buses, taxis, and app-based cabs may experience delays or limited availability due to protest marches and road blockades organised by trade unions and supporting organisations.

A massive countrywide strike is set to take place today as over 25 crore workers affiliated with central and sectoral trade unions are going on a Bharat Bandh. The strike is expected to significantly disrupt public services and industrial operations.