On Bharat Bandh The strike, backed by organisations such as the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), is expected to impact around 600 districts across the country.
India’s workforce is gearing up for a nationwide general strike scheduled for Thursday (February 12, 2026), with support from unions representing agricultural labourers, rural workers, and those employed in the informal sector.
Fourteen national trade unions have jointly organised this protest, along with participation from employees and teachers of Central and State Civil Services, staff from Central and State Public Sector Undertakings, and various independent trade unions.
Reasons behind the strike
The trade unions have called for this nationwide protest demanding the repeal of the four labour codes and the withdrawal of several current and proposed policies that they believe negatively affect workers and farmers.
Their main demands include: for Bharat Bandh
- Reversal of policies seen as undermining Civil Services
- Reinstatement of the old pension scheme
- Repeal of the Labour Codes
- Revival of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
Will Schools and Colleges be opened ? On Bharat Bandh Day
No official nationwide holiday has been declared for educational institutions. However, due to significant local backing for the strike, schools and colleges in states such as Kerala, Odisha, and West Bengal are expected to remain closed. Parents are advised to confirm with local school authorities.
Services that will remain operational
Despite the strike, healthcare services such as hospitals and pharmacies will continue to function normally.
Emergency services, including fire departments, rescue teams, and ambulance services, have been exempted from the strike and will remain available throughout the 24-hour Bandh period.
Essential daily services like milk distribution and newspaper delivery will also operate as usual on Thursday.
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