Still Relevant?: On February 12 ‘Bharat Bandh’ – Cause & Effects
Bharat Bandh on February 12 may disrupt banks, transport and public services, with lakhs of workers expected to join the nationwide strike.
A nationwide Bharat Bandh scheduled for February 12 is set to disrupt normal life across India, with banks, transport services and government offices likely to be affected. The strike has been called by a coalition of trade unions protesting inflation, job losses, wage issues and what they describe as the government’s “anti-worker” policies. Union leaders claim that close to two lakh workers will participate in the bandh in Karnataka alone, and millions more across other states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. They have warned that essential public services may slow down or shut down temporarily if participation is widespread.
In Delhi and other major cities, banks are expected to remain closed, as officers and clerks align with the protest. Public transport services such as buses and metros could run on limited schedules, while autorickshaws and private vehicles may see sporadic stoppages. Government offices have been asked to plan minimal staffing, anticipating low attendance. Outside Karnataka, where the strike has been described by local unions as one of the largest in recent years, agitators are calling for broader participation. Protesters have cited rising inflation and stagnant wages as key grievances, arguing that the economic burden on workers has been ignored by policymakers.
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Economists and business groups have warned that such large-scale shutdowns hurt day-to-day economic activity, especially in small businesses and informal sectors that cannot afford even a single day of lost work. Critics say that repeated nationwide bandhs highlight a deeper issue — that citizens feel their voices are not being heard through regular democratic channels, forcing them to resort to mass disruptions. The government, for its part, has dismissed the bandh as a “politically motivated” exercise that will inconvenience ordinary citizens. Officials insist essential services will continue and that the strike will have limited impact. But uncertainty remains, especially in states where previous bandh calls have led to significant disruptions.
