New Delhi, February 12, 2026 — India witnessed a massive nationwide general strike today as a joint platform of 10 central trade unions, backed by farmers' organizations and informal sector groups, mobilized an estimated 30 crore workers. The "Bharat Bandh" was called to protest the central government's labor policies, privatization drives, and specific economic measures, marking the 24th all-India general strike since the onset of economic reforms in 1991.
Key Demands Driving the Strike
The coalition—including CITU, AITUC, INTUC, and others—presented a unified front with several critical demands:
Repeal of Labour Codes: Immediate withdrawal of the four Labour Codes, which unions argue dilute worker protections and weaken collective bargaining.
Halt to Privatization: An end to the large-scale privatization of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) and the proposed "reforms" of public sector banks.
Legislative Rollbacks: Opposition to the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Draft Seed Bill 2025, and the SHANTI Act (related to nuclear energy).
Farmer & Rural Support: Demands for the restoration of MGNREGA, the repeal of the Viksit Bharat - Gramin Act 2025, and opposition to the interim India-US trade deal, which farmers fear will flood domestic markets with cheap imports.
Impact Observed Across the Country
The strike’s intensity varied by region, with the most significant disruptions reported in eastern and southern states.
| State / Region | Observed Impact |
| Kerala | Near-total shutdown. KSRTC buses, private taxis, and shops remained closed. Deserted views reported at Thrissur bus stand. |
| Assam | Severe disruption. Operations at the Digboi Refinery were completely halted; strong participation across industrial belts. |
| West Bengal | Mixed response. While jute mills in Hooghly and the Haldia Refinery saw heavy strike activity, normal life in Kolkata city remained largely stable. |
| Odisha | Significant shutdown. Empty streets in Bhubaneswar; banking and government services faced major delays. |
| Telangana | High participation. Manufacturing units, including AB InBev (CBL) in Sangareddy, saw massive turnouts. |
| National Banking | Partial impact. Major unions like AIBEA and BEFI joined the strike, leading to delays in cheque clearances and branch services. |
Visual Glimpses from the Ground
"The scale of participation today—surpassing 30 crore workers—is a decisive political response to the systematic dismantling of labor rights," stated Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of AITUC.
In Haldia (West Bengal) and Digboi (Assam), workers gathered at refinery gates holding red flags and placards, demanding an end to contract labor. In Nagpur, no buses left the Mor Bhavan depot after 4:00 AM, as local transport unions joined the agitation.
Government and Opposition Reactions
Government sources maintained that the reforms are essential to modernize regulations and align with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal defended the recent trade agreements as a milestone for economic history, ensuring that sensitive farm sectors remain protected. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and other opposition groups in states like Punjab and Puducherry extended active support to the strike.
As the day concludes, trade union leaders have warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, they may escalate to multi-day industrial actions across the country.
