Bharat Bandh today: Public transport on halt, people take to roads in protest

New Delhi, July 9, 2025 – India witnessed widespread disruptions today as a nationwide Bharat Bandh brought public transport services to a near standstill in many parts of the country. The bandh, called by a coalition of farmer unions and trade organizations, drew thousands of demonstrators to streets, highways, and railway tracks, demanding a range of socio-economic reforms and voicing concerns over recent government policies.

Roads Blocked, Trains Stalled, Daily Life Affected

Major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and several tier-2 urban centers experienced traffic snarls, transport cancellations, and business shutdowns. In rural belts, key highways such as the NH-44, NH-27, and NH-48 were blocked by protesters holding banners, waving flags, and raising slogans.

In Delhi-NCR, Metro services remained operational but were heavily delayed due to overcrowding and precautionary restrictions at several stations. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and auto unions halted services in solidarity with the protesters, causing a ripple effect on commuters.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Western Railway reported disruptions on the Churchgate–Virar line as agitators blocked tracks near Dahisar and Vasai, prompting cancellations of at least 25 local train services by mid-afternoon.

The Demands Behind the Bandh

Organized under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and supported by over 200 trade unions and civil society groups, the Bharat Bandh raised several demands:

• Legal guarantee on Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops

• Immediate repeal of labor law amendments

• Rollback of recent hike in electricity tariffs

• Suspension of privatization of key PSUs

• Increase in social sector spending

"The government has continued to ignore our demands even after repeated memorandums and peaceful marches," said Dr. Darshan Pal, a senior leader of the SKM. "We are left with no choice but to resort to mass civil protest."

Government Response: Appeals for Calm

While no central government leader addressed the protests directly today, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an advisory to state governments to maintain law and order. Several states, including Punjab, Haryana, and West Bengal, placed paramilitary forces on alert and imposed Section 144 in vulnerable districts to prevent escalation.

In a press briefing, Union Minister for Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar, said, “Dialogue channels remain open. We appeal to the unions to return to talks instead of disrupting public life.”

Market Impact: Volatility Amid Uncertainty

The stock markets showed signs of nervousness amid the protests. The BSE Sensex opened lower but pared some losses to close 86 points down at 77,150, while the Nifty 50 settled marginally lower at 23,525.

Analysts say while the markets are not yet pricing in long-term policy reversals, investor sentiment could weaken if the unrest stretches beyond a day or two.

“A prolonged Bharat Bandh could impact industrial output and logistics, especially in states with major manufacturing clusters like Gujarat and Maharashtra,” said Anita Gandhi, Director at Arihant Capital. “Investors are closely watching whether the government enters into negotiations or digs in its heels.”

Sectoral Reactions: Logistics and FMCG Feel the Heat

The transport and logistics sector bore the immediate brunt, with several trucking and warehousing associations halting operations. All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) reported losses worth ₹800 crore due to movement disruptions.

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, which depend heavily on daily supply chains, warned of possible short-term shortages in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets.

“We expect minor inventory disruptions in the North and East zones, but we are prepared with buffer stocks,” said a senior executive at ITC Ltd., requesting anonymity.

Investor Outlook: Wait-and-Watch Mode

For investors, the Bharat Bandh adds another layer of socio-political uncertainty. While not expected to derail macroeconomic fundamentals, continuous unrest and repeated shutdowns can weigh on India’s attractiveness as a stable investment destination.

“We’re advising clients to avoid fresh exposure to logistics, auto, and transport-dependent sectors until clarity returns,” said Vinay Khattar, Head of Research at Edelweiss Wealth.

Long-term investors, however, remain optimistic about India’s growth story, with many viewing this as a short-term event.

The Road Ahead

With public response to the bandh strong and largely peaceful, attention now turns to the government’s next move. Will it open fresh dialogue with protesting groups, or will tensions continue to simmer? The outcome could have implications not just for the agrarian and labor classes but also for the country’s political and economic climate as it heads toward state elections later this year.