According to WION, nearly 300 farmer organisations have joined the Bharat Bandh protest in Karnataka.
Nationwide 'Bharat Bandh', 25 Crore Workers Join Protest Latest News: A forum of 10 central trade unions and their associated federations has called for a general nationwide strike on July 9. People, associations, and parties from various parts of the country are participating in the Bharat Bandh.
The nationwide general strike has been called against the government and its “anti-labour, anti-farmer, and anti-people” policies.
The protest is expected to be joined by 25 crore workers engaged in various sectors, including white-collar employees in banking and insurance, workers in offices and shops, the transport and hospitality sectors, gig workers, public and private sector industry units, and farmers.
Kerala has seen a near-complete shutdown, with shops and shopping malls remaining closed in Kottayam in support of the 'Bharat Bandh.'
In Odisha, members of the Khordha district unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway in Bhubaneswar.
CITU president, Khordha District, Suresh Routray, told ANI, "Modi govt is supporting only Adani and Ambani but not the labourers. We are demanding a minimum pension of Rs 9000 per month..."
The bandh was observed in Telangana as well. Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the ruling party, has extended support to the protest, with Telangana becoming the worst-hit state in the strike. CM’s son K.T. Rama Rao will participate in the protest in Hyderabad.
In West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee has extended her support to the bandh. She will sit near the Gandhi statue in central Kolkata in symbolic support.
Members of Left parties' unions entered Jadavpur railway station to block railway tracks, as per ANI.
Drivers of state-run buses in Siliguri were seen wearing helmets inside the bus as a precautionary measure.
In Jadavpur, Kolkata, a bus driver said, "These people are saying the right thing (referring to the 'Bharat Bandh'), but we have to do our work. We are workers, so we support (the 'Bandh')... We are wearing it (helmet) for protection in case something happens."
Heavy police forces were deployed near Jadavpur 8B bus stand, and bus drivers wore helmets for protection.
Under the 'Bandh,' sectors such as state-run public transport, government offices, public sector units, banking and insurance services, postal operations, coal mining, and industrial production are likely to be affected, ANI reported.
Left parties' unions participated in the 'Bharat Bandh' by organizing a foot march in Jadavpur, Kolkata.
Meanwhile, in Bihar, members of the RJD's student wing blocked train tracks at Jehanabad railway station in support of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by the joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates.
Market closures were reported in several districts of Punjab and Haryana. In Mumbai, all major agricultural and fruit markets remained shut, along with goods transporters. Assam has witnessed a near-total shutdown, despite being a BJP-ruled state, according to a report by WION.
According to WION, nearly 300 farmer organisations have joined the Bharat Bandh protest in Karnataka.
(For more news apart from “RJD, Congress Call Bihar Bandh Against Voter List Revision; Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav Join Protest,” stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
