Today’s Bharat Bandh: Protests in major cities, disruptions throughout West Bengal

In Kolkata, West Bengal, trade unions led by left-leaning parties are taking part in today’s Bharat Bandh, a nationwide strike, to express their disapproval of the government’s claimed pro-corporate, anti-farmer, and anti-labor policies.

Crowds flocked to Kolkata during the strike, which reportedly started at six in the morning on Wednesday.

Protests dot the City of Joy

Visuals surfaced on the internet earlier today, where Kolkata Police personnel tried to douse a fire as left parties’ unions participated in the ‘Bharat Bandh‘.

Train tracks in the Diamond Harbour station in the south, Jadavpur in the main portion, and Shyamnagar in the north section of the Eastern Railways’ Sealdah division were blocked as part of the Bharat Bandh despite the presence of police.

Additionally, protesters marched on foot in Jadavpur, where a heightened police presence was stationed close to the city’s main transit hub, the Jadavpur 8B bus stop.

Both state-run and private buses are still operating at the Jadavpur 8B bus stop today. Despite the Bharat Bandh, drivers wore helmets to work to ensure a smooth commute in the city, according to ANI.

Protests in other parts of the state

According to a report by news agency PTI, protesters also attempted to block roadways in important cities in the state, such as Jalpaiguri, Asansol, and Bankura.

What Bengal government said

All employees of the state’s Trinamool Congress government are required to report to work on Wednesday, July 9.

The government of West Bengal has taken steps to guarantee that the strike does not affect day-to-day activities. To guarantee that people can get to work without incident, the state administration has increased the number of buses on the road.

The TMC, which has ruled the state since 2011, has reportedly rejected any request for a bandh, claiming that it will result in a loss of man-days, according to a PTI report.

Who called the Bharat Bandh?

Ten central trade unions demanded a national strike in protest of “liberalization, price increases for necessities, unemployment, an increase in contractual work, and other issues,” according to West Bengal CITU President Anadi Sahu.

Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Center (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Center (TUCC), Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), and the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) are among the organizations that are taking part.