New Delhi, February 12, 2026 — India witnessed significant disruptions today as a coalition of over 10 central trade unions, backed by farmers' organisations including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), observed a nationwide one-day Bharat Bandh. The strike was called to protest what organizers describe as "anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate" policies of the central government.
The strike, which organizers claim involved participation from nearly 30 crore workers across sectors, targeted several key demands:
Repeal of the four consolidated labour codes implemented to replace 29 older laws.
Withdrawal of controversial legislation, specifically the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 and the Draft Seed Bill 2025.
Opposition to the India–US interim trade agreement, which farmers' groups have labeled a "trap deal" that threatens domestic agriculture.
Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the scrapping of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.
Impact Across States
The intensity of the strike varied significantly across the country, with southern and eastern states feeling the strongest impact.
Kerala: Reported the heaviest disruptions. Public and private bus services, including KSRTC, were largely off the roads. Schools and colleges remained closed, and markets in hubs like Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad were deserted.
Odisha & Assam: Experienced near-total shutdowns in several districts. Protesters organized road blockades on national highways and "rail roko" actions, leading to stranded commuters and delayed train services.
Punjab & Haryana: Saw massive participation from the farming community. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab extended formal support, with transport workers joining farmers in blocking key junctions.
Tamil Nadu: Inter-state bus services to Kerala were suspended. While life in Chennai remained relatively normal, districts like Coimbatore and Madurai saw partial shutdowns of industrial units.
West Bengal: Reported a "lukewarm" response. Despite the strong presence of trade unions, state-run transport and private offices in Kolkata operated near normal capacity.
Banking and Essential Services
Major public sector banks, including State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda, and UCO Bank, had issued advance alerts regarding potential service disruptions.
While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) did not declare a formal holiday, counter services were severely limited in many regions as employees affiliated with unions like AIBEA and BEFI joined the strike. Digital banking and ATMs remained mostly functional, though cheque clearances and physical cash transactions faced significant delays.
What Remained Open:
Hospitals and emergency medical services.
Pharmacies and milk/newspaper supply chains.
Airports and flight operations (though ground transport to airports was hit in Kerala and Odisha).
Essential utilities like water and electricity.
Protests and The "Trap Deal"
A central theme of this year's protest was the recently announced India–US interim trade agreement. Farmers' leaders, including Hannan Mollah and Rakesh Tikait, have condemned the framework as a "wholesale surrender" to American multinational corporations.
Unions argue that the deal reduces import duties on US products like soybean oil, maize, and dairy, which could depress domestic prices and "finish off" Indian farmers. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has countered these claims, stating the agreement is a milestone that protects sensitive agricultural interests while gaining duty-free access for Indian exports like basmati rice and spices.
Looking Ahead
As the day progressed, normalcy began to return to urban centers by late evening. However, union leaders have warned that this is only the beginning. Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of AITUC, stated that if the government does not engage in talks regarding the labour codes and the trade deal, the coalition is prepared for "multi-day intensified actions" in the coming months.
