Bharat Bandh On February 12: What Is Open Or Closed Today? Top 10 Points To Know About Nationwide Strike

India is facing a nationwide strike across states on February 12. More than 30 crore workers are expected to be participating in the protests and they belong to various industries such as agriculture, banking, educations and transportations. They are protesting against central governments' policies that they believe are 'anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate'.

Bharat Bandh: What Is Closed Or Impacted?

Bank services: Majority of banks including SBI, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, and Central Bank of India among others have issued a notice to their customers. While bank branches will operate as normal hours, these banks warned about disruptions in bank services as the strike materialises.

Schools: Many states like Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana have asked parents to be alert about local school notices for the day. Chances of school disruptions is high as many students and teachers organisations are partaking in the strike. Schools in states like Karnataka and Kerala will be closed of whose teachers and students body are protesting.

In Karnataka, the Vikas Kishor Suralkar, Commissioner for School Education allowed district commissioners to take decisions in case of untoward incidents. The School department said the schools will functions normally.

Meal Workers: In many states like Karnataka, midday meal workers and meal workers in general are likely to participate in the strike. Midday meal workers usually provide food in schools of the state. There is potential of 1.2 lakh kitchen workers to stay away from their duty today and hence the officials are directed to persuade these workers to not participate in the strike.

Road Transportations: Traffic congestions is expected to be high. With many trade unions participating in the strike, chances of government-backed buses and trains could be impacted. Private buses and cars will be operational as normal but roadblocks could be a hindrance. Ola and Uber fares could rise due to the protests as many autorickshaws drivers are expected to participate in the strike. Taxi services could also take a hit.

Railways & Airports: Local trains services will be operational but services could be impacted as protests will flood-in key stations to state their points. They could disrupt tracks. Meanwhile, airports are operational but reaching there will be a chaos. It is advised to plan your trip early to reach on schedule.

Markets, Shops & Restaurants: In majority of states, markets, shops and restaurants will likely to be closed to avoid angry protestors which could fuel damage to their properties.

Offices: With a host of trade unions and workers from different sectors expected to participate in the protest on February 12, government and private office commutes and operations will be impacted if offices are open.

Parliament: Opposition MPs, including Congress MP Jebi Mather, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav, Congress MPs Digvijaya Singh,Rajeev Shukla, Digvijaya Singh, Rajeev Shukla, Manickam Tagore, and RSP MP NK Premachandran, staged a protest in the Parliament premises against the Indo-US trade deal, raising slogans such as "Kisano Par Hain Sankat Bhari, US Deal Hain Atyachari," and displaying posters that read "Trap Deal."

Bharat Bandh: What Is Opened Today?

Private Offices: There is no holiday for private office employees. Although, many private companies and IT offices could declare work from home to avoid employees struggle in transportations.

Hospitals, Emergency Services: Hospitals and ambulance services are going to be fully operational as normal.

Stock Market: Trading on BSE and NSE is open as normal today.

Nationwide Strike: 10 Points

1. The strike is carried by a joint forum of 10 unions. These are Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).

2. Banks union is also participating in the strike. These include AIBEA, AIBOA and BEFI.

3. These workers are reportedly demanding withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill, the Electricity Amendment Bill and the SHANTI Act, restoration of MGNREGA, and repeal of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.

4. Farmers are protesting against India -US trade deal. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) issued a statement last week, saying, the proposed interim trade agreement framework between India and the United States amounted to a "total surrender" of Indian agriculture to American multinational corporations, as per PTI report. Hence, farmers will be joining the strike too.

5. All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told reporters that they are expecting not less than 30 crore workers participation on February 12th protest, which would exceed the previous nationwide strike on July 9, 2025, where about 25 crore workers participated.

6. According to the General Secretary, activities in about 600 districts will be impacted due to the protest, which is higher from the 550 districts that were impacted in the previous protests. This estimate was derived from extensive mobilisation at district and block levels and support from farmers' organisations and sectoral federations.

7. States that are expected to be impacted are Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Kerala among others. States like Odisha and Assam are expected to see a complete shutdown.

8. With effect from February 2nd, US reduced reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 18%. This will eventually lead to scrap the additional 25% tariffs that was imposed in August last year. By mid-2025, US tariffs on Indian exports reached 50% which was a combination of 10% baseline, 15% reciprocal making 25% plus additional 25% punitive duty imposed with effect from August 27, 2025.

9. The Bharat Bandh on February 12 is expected to impact sectors like public sector banks, state transport services, government offices, public sector units, industrial and manufacturing hubs, and rural employment projects under MGNREGA.

10. Opposition parties like Congress and AAP members are participating in the strike against the policies of BJP-led government.