Feb 12 Bharat Bandh: 30 Crore Workers to Join Nationwide General Strike Against Govt Policies

A joint platform of 10 central trade unions has reiterated its call for a nationwide general strike on February 12, which is expected to be attended by approximately 300 million workers across India. The unions say the strike is being called to protest the central government's anti-labor, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies.

According to Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the upcoming strike is expected to attract more people than the last nationwide protest on July 9, 2025, when approximately 250 million workers joined the movement. She said the February 12 shutdown is likely to affect more than 600 districts across the country, compared to approximately 550 districts last time.

Feb 12 Bharat Bandh: The strike received overwhelming support

The general strike has received strong support from farmer groups, particularly the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which has fully supported the trade unions' mobilization efforts. Agricultural labor unions are also participating in large numbers, particularly on demands related to the resumption of MNREGA.

Student and youth organizations in several states have joined awareness campaigns, while the public in both rural and urban areas has expressed solidarity with the strike demands. The Joint Forum of Trade Unions stated that strike notices have been issued in most sectors and industries, and preparations are underway at the district and block levels.

Main Demands of Trade Unions

The unions' main demands include:

• Abolition of the four labor codes and their associated regulations
• Withdrawal of the draft Seed Bill and Electricity Amendment Bill
• Repeal of the proposed Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act
• Reinstatement of MNREGA
• Withdrawal of the Vikassheel Bharat – Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, 2025

Union leaders argue that these policies promote privatization, contracting, and corporatization, which they believe threaten job security and farmers' livelihoods.

Himachal apple growers plan Delhi march

Farmers' organizations across India are preparing to join nationwide protests. In Himachal Pradesh, apple growers have announced plans to march to Delhi in support of the strike. They have expressed concern over the reduced import duty on apples under the free trade agreement.

Former MLA and farmer leader Rakesh Singha warned that the low import duty on apples from the United States, New Zealand, and the European Union could severely impact local apple producers. He said that foreign apple cultivation is heavily subsidized, while Indian farmers receive very little support, which could harm the state's apple-dependent economy.

Potential Impact of the February 12 Bharat Bandh

Union leaders have claimed that states like Odisha and Assam could face a near-complete shutdown, while other areas could experience major disruptions to industry, public services, and transport. Large numbers of laborers, farmers, and agricultural workers are expected to participate, making the February 12 strike one of the largest protests nationwide in recent years.

Read More: There will be a Bharat Bandh on 21 August, What is The Reason, Which Services will be Stopped?