Bharat Bandh Today: India Witnesses Massive 24-Hour Shutdown Over Trade and Labour Policies

India has woken up to a widespread Bharat Bandh today, February 12, 2026, as a joint forum of ten central trade unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) launch a massive stir. The organizers claim that nearly 30 crore workers from across the industrial, agricultural, and banking sectors have joined the agitation.

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The protest is a double-edged challenge to the Central government, targeting both the implementation of the four new labour codes and the recently signed India-US interim trade agreement.

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The Conflict: Why 30 Crore Workers Are Striking Today

The motivations behind today’s shutdown are deeply rooted in economic and legislative shifts.

• The India-US Trade Deal: SKM Convenor Hannan Mollah has termed the deal a “betrayal,” fearing that cheaper US agricultural imports will flood Indian markets and decimate local farm incomes.

• Labour Code Resistance: Unions argue that the new reforms weaken worker protections, making it significantly easier for employers to hire and fire staff without legal recourse.

• Economic Demands: Protesters are also demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and a halt to the privatization of public sector units.

State-Wise Ground Report: Schools and Transport Status

The impact of the bandh is highly localized, with some states seeing a total shutdown while others remain largely normal.

• Kerala & Odisha: These states are experiencing the most intense impact. Public transport, including KSRTC buses and auto-rickshaws, are largely off the roads. Most shops and local markets have remained closed since morning.

• Punjab: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially backed the strike, leading to high participation in rural pockets and mandi areas.

• Karnataka (Bengaluru): While the state government announced that schools would function normally, certain districts like Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are seeing partial closures due to transport unavailability.

• Delhi & Mumbai: The impact is minimal in these metros, with Metro services and private offices operating as usual. However, “Chakka Jams” (road blockades) on highway entry points may cause evening traffic delays.

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Banking & Financial Services: What You Should Expect

If you have urgent banking tasks today, prepare for delays at physical branches.

• Public Sector Banks: Unions like AIBEA and BEFI are participating. SBI and Bank of Baroda have warned that branch operations and cheque clearances might be hampered.

• Private Sector Banks: Most private institutions like HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank are open and functioning at near-normal capacity.

• Digital Services: UPI, mobile banking, and ATMs are completely unaffected by the strike.

What Stays Open: Exemptions and Essential Services

To minimize public hardship, the following services are operating normally:

1. Healthcare: All hospitals, emergency rooms, and ambulance services.

2. Utilities: Electricity, water supply, and gas agencies.

3. Daily Needs: Milk booths and pharmacies.

4. Transit: Airports are operational, though passengers are advised to leave 2 hours early to navigate potential road blockades.

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[SERVICE STATUS CHECKLIST: FEB 12, 2026]

Next Steps

If you are planning to travel between cities today, you should check the National Highway Authority (NHAI) live alerts, as certain toll plazas are prone to farmer sit-ins. Furthermore, if your bank work is non-urgent, it is best to wait until Friday, when clearing houses will resume full operations to clear the backlog from today’s strike.

Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1

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