New Delhi/Kerala, Feb 12 : A 24 hour nationwide strike, widely referred to as Bharat Bandh, disrupted transport, banking, and public services across several states on Thursday (February 12, 2026), with Kerala experiencing the sharpest impact. The strike was organised by ten central trade unions, including the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), to demand the rollback of the four labour codes and other policy measures.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended support to the agitation, saying he stands with workers and farmers protesting the Centre’s labour and economic policies. Taking to X, Gandhi wrote, “Today, lakhs of laborers and farmers across the country are on the streets to raise their voice for their rights… And weakening or eliminating MNREGA could take away the last support of the villages. I stand firmly with the issues and struggles of the workers and farmers.”
Kerala shuts down: Transport services in Kerala were heavily disrupted, with KSRTC buses off the roads, private buses and autorickshaws remaining idle, and major cities including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode largely deserted. Banks, government offices, schools, and colleges saw reduced attendance, while markets and small industries shut operations. The Kerala government declared the day as “dies non” for state employees, with leave allowed only under specific categories. Essential services such as hospitals, fire and rescue, milk distribution, pharmacies, and newspaper circulation continued to function, and arrangements were made for pilgrims traveling to Sabarimala and attendees of the Maramon Convention.
Tamil Nadu joins protests: Trade unions in Tamil Nadu observed the strike, affecting banking, insurance, and parts of transport services. The ruling DMK’s trade union wing, Workers Progressive Association (WPA), farmer groups under the Joint Kisan Morcha, and student organisations also supported the agitation. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) instructed staff to report for duty, cancelled sanctioned leave, and warned of disciplinary action for disruptions.
West Bengal and Odisha participation: In West Bengal, the strike was observed in Kolkata, with trade union members joining demonstrations across the city. In Odisha, unions in Bhubaneswar also participated, responding to the nationwide call for protest.
Key demands: Trade unions are opposing the four labour codes, amendments to the Electricity Act, privatisation of public sector undertakings, changes to rural employment schemes, and advocating for a five-day work week for bank employees. Nearly 30 crore workers from almost 600 districts are reported to have participated in the strike.