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

A nationwide strike, dubbed the "Bharat Bandh," is scheduled for February 12, involving around 300 million workers, farmers, and youth across India The protest is organized by a coalition of 10 central trade unions against government policies deemed anti-labor and pro-corporate.

The strike is expected to impact over 600 districts, surpassing the previous protest on July 9, 2025, which saw participation from 250 million workers The scale of the upcoming protest indicates escalating discontent with government policies.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and various agricultural labor unions have expressed strong support for the strike They are particularly focused on reinstating MNREGA and opposing several government bills that they believe harm workers and farmers.

Student and youth organizations are actively participating in awareness campaigns, and there is significant public backing for the strike in both rural and urban areas, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with current policies

The unions are demanding the abolition of four labor codes, withdrawal of the draft Seed Bill and Electricity Amendment Bill, and repeal of the SHANTI Act, among other demands They argue these policies favor privatization and corporatization, threatening job security and farmers' livelihoods.

Farmers, particularly apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, plan to march to Delhi in solidarity with the strike They are concerned about reduced import duties on apples, which could negatively impact local producers due to foreign competition.

Former MLA Rakesh Singha warned that low import duties on apples from countries like the United States and New Zealand, where apple cultivation is heavily subsidized, could harm India's apple-dependent economy

Union leaders predict that states such as Odisha and Assam may experience near-total shutdowns, with significant disruptions expected in industry, public services, and transport nationwide, marking this protest as one of the largest in recent years