The Bharat Bandh call by trade unions to protest the NDA government's labour reforms saw key services taking a hit in many parts of the country on Wednesday as 15 crore workers joined the strike.
Clashes were also reported from some states, especially in West Bengal.
In cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, auto-rickshaws and taxis stayed off the roads. Bengaluru and Kolkata were also hit by the strike.
Banking operations were also hit as lakhs of banking employees went on a strike, the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIEBA) reportedly said.
The 10 trade unions that have called the Bharat Bandh want the government to withdraw its proposed changes to the labour laws, and are also protesting the privatisation of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
UPDATES:
- In Puducherry, at least 1000 protesters have been taken into police custody, The Hindu reported.
- Protests in Srinagar and Ahmedabad.
Trade Union's nation-wide strike: protests in Srinagar, and Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/uiq6uDP3NT
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
- In further violence in West Bengal, clashes have broken out in Kolkata.
Trade Union's nation-wide strike: Clash between protesters and the police in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/AaB36rovWO
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
- Most colleges and schools remained closed in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
- Kerala and West Bengal are said to be among the worst affected due to the strike and clashes.
- Protesters have blocked a railway track in Chennai.
Trade unions' nation-wide strike: AIDWA & DYFI protest in Chennai, protesters block railway track. pic.twitter.com/DkThVtu8LX
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
- Violence was reported among TMC and CPM workers in West Bengal's Murshidabad area, and the police reportedly resorted to lathicharging and detaining several protesters.
Trade Unions' nation-wide strike: Clash between TMC & CPIM workers, police lathicharge protesters pic.twitter.com/XnsBIaELg2
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
- In Bengaluru, several BMTC buses and Volvo buses have been damaged in stone pelting, The Hindu reports.
- In Hyderabad, more than 3000 Telangana state buses are off the roads.
- Political parties are also divided on the issue of amendment of labour laws, as seen by the comments from Congress' PC Chacko and BJP's MA Naqvi.
All acts which were protecting laborers of this country going to be diluted in favor of industrial lobby: PC Chacko pic.twitter.com/PFRVGsDpj7
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
Amendments in labor laws,labor reforms need of the hour,these reforms are in interest of laborers of country:MA Naqvi pic.twitter.com/vJnsumxcld
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
- In Bengaluru, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are off the roads till 6 pm.
- In West Bengal, protesters are blocking railway tracks.
Trade unions' nation-wide strike: Protesters block railway track in North 24 Parganas district (West Bengal). pic.twitter.com/rHa8qaHiem
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
- Some Auto drivers that are plying are reportedly charging higher fares from citizens, and some drivers even faced violence for not participating in the Bharat Bandh.
Autos who arent on strike charging more as ppl are facing inconvenience,we all will be suffering later bcoz of them:Auto-driver (on strike)
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2015
- West Bengal Chief Minister has reportedly warned government employees that they will lose a day's pay if they join the Bharat Bandh and do not show up at work.
- Tamil Nadu has not reportedly faced the brunt of the workers' strike, as public buses are said to be plying normally, NDTV reported.
