Mixed effect of Bharat Bandh by 10 trade unions:Punjab protests against US trade deal, banking services across country remain unaffected

A ‘Bharat Bandh’ has been called across the country on Thursday, February 12, 2026, which is affecting public life in several states. The strike has been announced by a joint platform of farmer organizations and 10 central trade unions. Strike in Punjab against India-US Trade Deal Trade unions, farmer organizations, and employee organizations in Punjab are on strike today against the trade deal between India and the United States. Mixed effects of this are being seen in many districts. Contract employees are on strike, but regular employees are providing services. Work in government departments is certainly affected but not completely shut down. Banks are not closed
Due to the strike, people have questions about whether banks will remain closed today? The answer is – no. Banks are not closed and will operate as normal days. However, operations may be affected due to the strike. See the situation in other states in pictures… Shailendra Dubey, Chairman of All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), said that around 27 lakh electricity employees and engineers across the country will go on a one-day strike on February 12. This strike has been called to demand against privatization, Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025, proposed National Electricity Policy 2026 and restoration of old pension scheme. He said that for the first time, the United Farmers Front and ten central trade unions are joining the strike in support of electricity workers. He says this could be one of the largest industrial actions in independent India. The main demands of the strike include a ban on outsourcing, direct recruitment to regular positions, and regularization of outsourced employees. The United Farmers Front has supported the demands of trade unions, and the Joint Front of Agricultural Labor Organizations is also joining the strike. Their demands include restoration of MGNREGA, withdrawal of ‘Developed India-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, 2025’, cancellation of four labor codes, withdrawal of draft seed bill and electricity amendment bill. The joint platform includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC. Meanwhile, the Trade Union Co-ordination Center (TUCC) has rejected the strike call, calling it baseless, wrongly prepared and against national interest. The organization said it would not participate in such movements which are motivated by political demands rather than worker welfare. Source: Google Trends