Tue Jul 08 12:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A large-scale “Bharat Bandh” (nationwide strike) is planned for Wednesday, with an estimated 250 million workers from various sectors, including banking, insurance, and postal services, expected to participate. Ten central trade unions have called for the strike to protest against the government’s allegedly anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies. The unions accuse the government of neglecting workers’ rights, increasing unemployment, and cutting social spending, leading to greater inequality. They also criticize the government’s employment policies, favoring rehiring retired individuals over creating opportunities for young people. Farmers’ organizations have also pledged their support for the strike.
**News Article:**
**Nationwide Strike Looms as “Bharat Bandh” Set to Paralyze Key Sectors**
**New Delhi:** India is bracing for a massive “Bharat Bandh” (nationwide strike) on Wednesday, with organizers estimating that over 250 million workers across various sectors will participate. The strike, called by ten central trade unions, is a protest against the government’s economic policies, which they claim are detrimental to workers, farmers, and the nation’s interests.
Key sectors expected to be affected include banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, factories, and state transport. All India Trade Union Congress leader Amarjeet Kaur stated that the strike anticipates “25 crore workers involvement”.
Unions accuse the government of failing to address critical issues such as rising unemployment, increasing prices of essential commodities, declining wages, and cuts in social spending on education, healthcare, and other basic amenities. They also criticize the government for not holding annual labor conferences for the past decade and favoring the rehiring of retired individuals over creating opportunities for the nation’s youth.
“The economic policies are leading to increasing unemployment, rising prices of essential commodities, wage cuts, and reduction in social sector spending on education, health, and basic civil amenities. This is creating greater inequality and deprivation for the poor, lower-income groups, as well as the middle class,” said a statement from the striking unions.
The unions also highlighted that 65% of the population is under 35 years old and that unemployment is highest amongst those in the 20-25 year age bracket.
Farmers’ organizations, under the banner of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, have also pledged their support for the Bharat Bandh, promising widespread mobilization in rural areas.
Hind Mazdoor Sabha leader Harbhajan Singh Sidhu warned that the strike would significantly disrupt essential services across the country.
The unions had previously submitted a 17-point charter of demands to the Labour Minister last year but claim that their concerns have been ignored. This is not the first time the Central Trade Unions have resorted to a nationwide strike. Similar strikes were organized on November 26, 2020, March 28-29, 2022, and February 16 of last year.
Authorities are preparing for potential disruptions and have urged citizens to plan accordingly. The impact of the strike on the Indian economy remains to be seen.
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