The massive nationwide general strike, or “Bharat Bandh,” called by 10 central labour organisations across the country in protest against central policies witnessed unrest in several places including Kolkata. In some places, attempts were made to block local trains while in some other parts, protesters tried to stop public transport by hosting demonstration at bus depots and railway stations.
A massive nationwide general strike, or Bharat Bandh was called for Wednesday, July 9, 2025, by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions. They are supported by various farmers’ and rural workers’ organisations, with over 25 crore workers expected to participate. The strike protests against what they describe as the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies.
The labour organizations have called for a bandh demanding 17 points, including a new labour law. The widespread impact of this bandh was seen across the country, including West Bengal, since morning.
Local trains stopped, traffic disrupted in Kolkata
On Wednesday morning, bandh supporters blocked trains at Belgharia, Barrackpur, and Shyamnagar stations in North 24 Parganas. By 7 am, several trains were stopped at various stations due to the blockade. As a result, daily commuters and office workers faced problems.
Along with traffic congestion caused by waterlogging due to rain, daily commuters were stranded due to the rail blockade, which was later lifted. There were also attempts to block trains at several places on the southern branch of Sealdah. There was a blockade at Jadavpur station. Supporters of the bandh took to the streets in several places including Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Haldia, Asansol, Durgapur. Bandh supporters blocked roads in Howrah’s Domjur. When the police tried to remove them, unrest broke out. The protesters started scuffling with the police personnel following which the police resorted to lathicharge to remove the disperse the protesters.
South Kolkata shop, policeman’s shoe catches fire during protest
Bandh supporters took to the streets in various areas of South Kolkata on Wednesday. They tried to block the road in Jadavpur with red flags. An effigy was burnt near the Jadavpur 8B bus stand. Tires were burned to protest the central labour policy. When the police went to douse the fire, it spread to a nearby shop in a scuffle, and a wire caught fire. A policeman’s shoes caught fire while trying to extinguish the fire.
Bandh supporters took out rallies with placards on the platform of Baghajatin station, Ganguly Bagan and Jadavpur station. Strike supporters also stopped traffic and demonstrated in front of a jute mill on Belgharia BT Road, which led to a scuffle between protesters and drivers.
Impact of Bandh in other states
The bandh has also seen a huge impact in Bihar, where statewide protests took place against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll ahead of the Assembly elections. The student wing of the opposition party RJD staged a massive protest in Jahanabad by blocking trains. Roads were blocked by burning tyres. The protest against SIR was led by Congress and RJD. Along with Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi also led protests in Patna.
The Bharat bandh has also had a major impact in Left-ruled Kerala where bus drivers wore helmets to protect themselves from possible attacks.
