Bharat Bandh in Punjab Triggers Mixed Reactions Amid AAP's Contradictory Stance
The nationwide general strike, known as Bharat Bandh, called by a coalition of 10 Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), unfolded in Punjab on Thursday with a varied impact across the state. While the bandh aimed to demonstrate resistance against what organizers termed "anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national pro-corporate policies" of the central government, it largely failed to disrupt daily routines significantly.
Limited Disruption Amidst Widespread Protests
Across Punjab, dharnas and protests were organized at multiple locations with active participation from trade unions, farmer groups, and labor organizations. However, essential services and commercial activities remained largely unaffected. Markets, offices, factories, schools, and banks operated normally, indicating a tempered response from the public.
Transport services experienced partial disruptions, particularly with Punjab Roadways and PRTC buses running in reduced numbers due to support from transport unions. These unions joined the bandh primarily to highlight their own unresolved demands. In contrast, private bus services continued without significant hindrance.
Political Support and Administrative Hypocrisy
Politically, the strike garnered backing from both the opposition Congress and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP Punjab issued a statement on Thursday morning, extending support to the Bharat Bandh and announcing plans to stage protests in every district of Punjab against a alleged secret trade agreement between the Trump and Modi governments. The party described this deal as one that "would ruin traders and agriculture" and affirmed its solidarity with farmers and traders.
However, this public endorsement starkly contrasted with the AAP government's administrative actions. On Wednesday evening, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) issued a stringent letter warning its employees against participating in the strike. The letter threatened severe disciplinary measures, including the enforcement of a 'no work, no pay' rule, stalled promotions, potential loss of pension benefits for retiring employees, and even dismissal citing Supreme Court rulings. It emphasized that strikes constitute unfair labor practices and that PSPCL is obligated to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Employee Backlash and Union Criticism
Gurpreet Singh Gandiwind, state president of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Employees Federation, condemned the warning as hypocritical. He noted that while AAP publicly supports the bandh, it simultaneously prevents its employees from joining. Despite the threats, Gandiwind claimed that over 50% of PSPCL staff participated in the strike, with numbers expected to rise by evening.
Union leaders, such as Gurpreet Singh Mehdoodan from Ludhiana, expressed surprise at AAP's "double standards," highlighting the inconsistency between political rhetoric and administrative enforcement. Striking employees remarked that such caution letters are routine before protests and are often negotiated post-event through leave adjustments.
Broader Protests and Additional Demands
The bandh was not solely focused on opposition to the US-India trade framework. It also targeted issues like the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, Seed Bill, replacement of MGNREGA with VB-G-RAM-G, and other labor-related concerns. Gandiwind pointed out that the Electricity Amendment Bill directly affects power sector employees, questioning the Punjab government's ambiguous stance on the legislation.
Other protests included mid-day meal workers observing a strike, necessitating alternative arrangements in government schools. Demonstrations were held outside deputy commissioner's offices across districts, with nearly 32 farmer unions under SKM and five labor unions participating in dharnas at over 100 locations in Punjab, including multiple sites in Patiala and Ludhiana.
Transport and Agricultural Union Actions
Punjab Roadways employees staged protests in Sangrur, demanding the release of colleagues arrested during a previous strike in November. In Ludhiana, a dharna was held at the bus stand. Saudagar Singh Ghudani of BKU Ugrahan mentioned that while some buses were off the road, transport employees were not forced to halt services, with many joining voluntarily.
Raminder Singh Patiala, a member of SKM's national coordination committee, stated that exact compilation of protest spots would be finalized by late evening, underscoring the widespread yet coordinated nature of the demonstrations.
