Strike Demands and Political Showdown
The strike, spearheaded by major unions including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, and LPF, is a direct challenge to the Union Government’s four new labour codes. Unions allege these codes strip workers of job security and facilitate "hire and fire" policies. The protesters are also demanding the scrapping of the Electricity Amendment Bill and halting the privatization of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).The protest received significant political backing from the Congress and Left parties. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the government, accusing it of "snatching away MGNREGA" funds and ignoring the plight of the working class.
"The government has turned a blind eye to the voices of workers and farmers while making decisions that determine their future," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated, questioning if the administration was under a "grip" too strong to break.
Kerala Grinds to a Halt; Tharoor Calls it "Organized Tyranny"
The southern state of Kerala bore the brunt of the strike. Public transport, including KSRTC buses and private vehicles, stayed off the roads, leaving commuters stranded in districts like Kannur, Kasaragod, and Ernakulam. Shops, commercial establishments, and many government offices remained shut.However, the shutdown drew sharp criticism from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who termed the enforced closure in his home state as "organized tyranny." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor remarked on the "lamentable irony" that a nationwide call had effectively turned into a "Kerala Bandh," holding the state's economy hostage while the rest of the country functioned relatively normally.
Sector-Wise Impact: Banks and Coal Mines Hit
While public transport and markets functioned as usual in states like West Bengal and Goa, the banking and industrial sectors faced disruptions.- Banking: Operations in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) were hit in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu as employees joined the picket lines. However, private sector banks largely continued operations.
- Defence & Coal: In Madhya Pradesh, over 25,000 civilian defence employees at ordnance factories reported to work an hour late as a mark of protest. In the coal-rich belts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, mining activities saw partial disruptions.
- Transport: Tamil Nadu witnessed "rail roko" (train blockade) protests in Erode and road blockades in Chennai and Coimbatore. Despite this, general public transport in the state remained largely unaffected.
State-by-State Highlights
- Karnataka: A mixed response was reported. While industrial hubs saw protests—including a significant gathering at Bengaluru’s Town Hall—public life remained mostly undisturbed. Trade unions claimed support from over 2 lakh workers.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Rallies were held in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad. In Hyderabad, a massive gathering at VST highlighted the unity between labour and farmer unions.
- Maharashtra: Protests were staged in Mumbai and Nagpur, where State Transport buses faced delays. Activists raised concerns about the Industrial Relations Code, fearing it allows companies with up to 300 workers to lay off staff without government approval.
- West Bengal: In a stark contrast to Kerala, the strike failed to evoke any significant response. Government and private offices recorded usual attendance, and schools remained open.
Why Are They Protesting?
The core friction point remains the four labour codes passed by Parliament, which unions describe as "anti-worker and anti-national."- Job Security: Fear that the new codes make retrenchment easier for corporates.
- Right to Strike: Unions argue the new laws impose stricter conditions on calling legal strikes.
- Fixed-Term Employment: Concerns that permanent jobs will be replaced by contract roles without social security.