Massive national strike on July 9: Trade unions claim participation of over 250 million workers and farmers

By A Representative

A nationwide general strike called by a joint platform of central trade unions and sectoral federations claimed participation by more than 25 crore (250 million) workers, farmers, and agri-labourers across India. The strike, protests, and related blockades—popularly known as Rasta Roko and Rail Roko—affected both formal and informal sectors and saw significant mobilization in rural and urban areas alike.

According to a preliminary report released by the organising unions, the strike drew support from employees across public sector undertakings, government departments, industrial belts, and unorganised labour groups. It also claimed visible participation of students, youth, women, and social activists in various states.

Widespread Industrial Participation

Organisers listed participation from workers in coal, steel, petroleum, electricity, telecom, postal, atomic energy, ports, banks, insurance, and public transport. Several employees of multinational corporations, according to union leaders, also joined the action through demonstrations and processions in industrial areas.

Employees from sectors such as defence, railways, NMDC, construction, cement, and mining (including bauxite, copper, gold, and aluminium) reportedly participated in varying forms. While defence sector workers did not strike outright, they reportedly staged one-hour demonstrations before joining duty.

Scheme workers, including Anganwadi, ASHA, Mid-Day Meal workers, as well as domestic workers, fisherfolk, hawkers, and self-employed persons, were also part of the mobilisations. Unions stated that there was notable support from informal sector workers including rickshaw and taxi drivers, beedi workers, and contract labourers.

Regional Impact and Bandh-like Situations

The organisers reported a “Bandh-like” situation in parts of Puducherry, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Goa, and several northeastern states. Partial shutdowns were said to have occurred in sections of Rajasthan, Haryana, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Reports of industrial strikes also came in from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat. However, comprehensive updates from all states were still awaited as of the release of the statement.

Allegations Against Government Policies

The unions voiced strong opposition to what they described as “anti-labour, anti-people” policies of the central government. They criticised the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), alleging that it amounts to a sell-off of national assets to corporates, threatening India's economic sovereignty.

The statement raised concerns over increasing unemployment, rising living costs, and lack of labour protections, particularly under the four new labour codes. Union leaders argued that the new codes dilute hard-won labour rights, restrict union activities, reduce wage protections, and expand the scope for fixed-term employment and contractorisation.

They also criticised the government’s employment practices, alleging a deliberate move to replace regular jobs with temporary positions, apprenticeships, and re-employment of retirees. The strike also sought attention to vacancies in government departments and PSUs, calling for immediate recruitment and job creation, including an urban employment guarantee act.

Democratic Rights and Labour Forums

Further, the unions condemned what they called a broader crackdown on democratic rights. They cited the lack of Indian Labour Conference meetings in the past decade, alleged disenfranchisement of migrant workers, and proposed laws such as Maharashtra’s Public Security Bill as indications of democratic backsliding.

At a rally held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, union leaders from 10 central trade unions addressed striking workers. Among the speakers were Ashok Singh (INTUC), Amarjeet Kaur (AITUC), Harbhajan Singh (HMS), Tapan Sen (CITU), Rajiv Dimri (AICCTU), Lata Ben (SEWA), Chaurasia (AIUTUC), Jawahar (LPF), Dharmendra Verma (TUCC), and R S Dagar (UTUC). Representatives from independent federations and agricultural labour unions, including AIKS, also spoke.

Way Ahead

Calling the July 9 strike a “grand success,” union leaders described it as the beginning of a larger, prolonged battle. They indicated that sector-specific agitations would continue, building toward a larger national movement aimed at reversing current government policies and restoring labour and social protections.

Comments

US-China truce temporary, larger trade war between two economies to continue

By Prabir Purkayastha The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan, South Korea on 30 October 2025 may have brought about a temporary relief in the US-China trade war. But unless we see the fine print of the agreement, it is difficult to assess whether this is a temporary truce or the beginning of a real rapprochement between the two nations. The jury is still out on that one and we will wait for a better understanding of what has really been achieved in Busan.

When growth shrinks people: Capitalism and the biological decline of the U.S. population

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak* Critically acclaimed Hungarian-American economic historian and distinguished scholar of economic anthropometric history, Prof. John Komlos (Professor Emeritus, University of Munich), who pioneered the study of the history of human height and weight, has published an article titled “The Decline in the Physical Stature of the U.S. Population Parallels the Diminution in the Rate of Increase in Life Expectancy” on October 31, 2025, in the forthcoming issue of Social Science & Medicine (SSM) – Population Health, Volume 32, December 2025. The findings of the article present a damning critique of the barbaric nature of capitalism and its detrimental impact on human health, highlighting that the average height of Americans began to decline during the era of free-market capitalism. The study draws on an analysis of 17 surveys from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (...

Justice for Zubeen Garg: Fans persist as investigations continue in India and Singapore

By Nava Thakuria* Even a month after the death of Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore under mysterious circumstances, thousands of his fans and admirers across eastern India continue their campaign for “ JusticeForZubeenGarg .” A large digital campaign has gained momentum, with over two million social media users from around the world demanding legal action against those allegedly responsible. Although the Assam government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has arrested seven people, and a judicial commission headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court to oversee the probe, public pressure for justice remains strong.

Gujarat civil society to move Supreme Court against controversial electoral roll revision

By Rajiv Shah A recent, well-attended meeting of Gujarat civil society activists in Ahmedabad , held to discuss the impact of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, has decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court against the controversial exercise initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) across the country. Announcing this, senior High Court advocate Anand Yagnik , who heads the Gujarat chapter of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said that a committee has already been formed to examine the pros and cons of SIR. “While the SIR exercise began in Gujarat on November 4 and is scheduled to continue for a month, we will file a supporting petition in the case against SIR in the Gujarat High Court or the Supreme Court after observing how it proceeds in the state,” he said. Yagnik’s announcement followed senior advocate Shahrukh Alam —who is arguing the SIR case in the Supreme Court—urging Gujarat’s civil society to also file ...

Mergers and privatisation: The Finance Minister’s misguided banking agenda

By Thomas Franco The Finance Minister has once again revived talk of merging two or three large public sector banks to make them globally competitive. Reports also suggest that the government is considering appointing Managing Directors in public sector banks from the private sector. Both moves would strike at the heart of India’s public banking system . Privatisation undermines the constitutional vision of social and economic justice, and such steps could lead to irreversible damage.

Why PESA, a Birsa Munda legacy, remains India’s unfulfilled commitment to its tribal peoples

By Raj Kumar Sinha* Nearly three decades ago, the Indian Parliament enacted a landmark law for tribal regions — the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, better known as PESA. This legislation sought to restore the traditional autonomy of tribal societies and empower them to use local resources according to their customs and needs. However, such decentralization never sat well with today’s developmental politicians, capitalists, and bureaucrats. The question therefore arises — what makes PESA so important?

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Trump escalates threats of war against Venezuela, as millions in US set to lose essential benefits

By Manolo De Los Santos The United States government is in the grips of one of its longest-running funding gaps in history. The ongoing government shutdown has already stretched beyond 30 days and now, the food security of millions of Americans is at risk as the funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is drying up and Trump officials have refused to tap into contingency funds . Approximately 42 million individuals per month rely on SNAP benefits and are set to lose them beginning on November 1.

Is vaccine the Voldemort of modern medicine to be left undiscussed, unscrutinised?

By Deepika* Sridhar Vembu of Zoho stirred up an internet storm by tweeting about the possible link of autism to the growing number of vaccines given to children in India . He had only asked the parents to analyse the connection but doctors, so called public health experts vehemently started opposing Vembu's claims, labeling them "dangerous misinformation" that could erode “vaccine trust”!

Search This Blog