There was huge upheaval in India, today, July 9, 2024, as there was massive Bharat Bandh called by ten central trade unions that saw the normal life being kept to standstill in India in many parts of the country. Close to 25 crore (250 million) employees went on strike in one of the biggest strikes of recent times protesting against the economic policy of the central government. The magnitude of the demonstration ripppled out anxiety and inconvenience into day to day life.
The Reasons of what makes us, the Nation angry:
The strike does not concern only one problem, but it is a loud voice of indignation that has accumulated over the years. Factory, farm, shop and government office workers rallied behind a unifying banner that was demanding:
Repeal of so-called Ant-worker labour law: Unions bitterly resist new labour legislation to which they feel that the hard-earned protections, security and bargaining power are thrown into dustbins.
Privatisation: The proposal to privatise strategic units of the public sector (PSUs), is feared and fuelled by any amount of anger, as sold into the family silver and phased-out secure jobs.
Minimum Wages & Social Security: Millions fight with the high prices and unstable revenues. It is being demanded to have a universal minimum wage and increased social security nets such as pensions.
Scrapping of Fixed-Term Employment: Workers criticize this practice by saying that it increases a disposable labor force that is devoid of merits and security.
Controlling & Deciding Farmers Prices: The impact of inflation and politics of farming people have been serious agitators of unrest
Impact: A Day of upheavals and Uncertainties
Bharat Bandh was translated into real suffering of people:
Banking Blues: Even the banking services throughout the country were disrupted drastically. Although some of the branches may have opened, the activities were paralyzed when the members of the bank unions joined the strike. Clearances of cheques, withdrawals of cash and deposits were seriously delayed leading to frustrations on the part of customers and business people.
Silence in classrooms: Numerous schools (especially, governmental and aided), both full, and part of the teaching and non-teaching personnel participated in the strike. There were panicked calls to childcare by parents fearing they would lose learning time.
Postal Paralysis: Post offices in numerous states closed down completely, mail ceased, and packages were not delivered as well as financial orders such as money orders as well. 3. Necessary communication and services were severed.
Roadblock: The major strike bases Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and parts of Karnataka faced severe disruption of road transport. The roads remained bus free, there were fewer auto rickshaws and commuters had an excruciating experience. Slowdown of activities in the ports and docks was pronounced.
Essential Services Strain: Although emergency services remained functional, other support such as hospitals and other key industries stalled. There was a decline in production of the undertakings by the public sector.
The mood of a Nation: Will Power against Convenience
The air was tensed. At centers of protests, people were walking with a stern expression and shouting on the streets with arcane slogans of dignity and befitting treatment. Determination could be felt in the air, this strike was an appeal to somebody, to be listened to. But with this, common citizens got the pinch as well. People missed their appointments, people who earn their daily wages missed their incomes, students missed their examinations and travellers were left stranded. All that was present was a concoction of solidarity among the employees and an anxiousness among the individuals that were caught in the crossfire.
