The all-India strike call has been given by major trade unions including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU and AIUTUC, along with federations representing bank employees, insurance staff, central government employees and BSNL workers. The protest is aimed at pressing the Centre to address concerns related to labour reforms and service conditions.
Banking operations are expected to be the worst affected in the state. According to union representatives, more than 6,000 bank branches across Madhya Pradesh may face partial or complete disruption. Clearing operations and routine customer services are likely to be delayed due to staff shortages.
V.K. Sharma, coordinator of the Madhya Pradesh Bank Employees Association, said both public and private sector bank employees would participate in the strike. The State Bank of India union has expressed support for the agitation, though it will not directly join the strike, he added.
Insurance services, particularly those of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), are also expected to be impacted as employees join the protest. BSNL staff and postal department workers have confirmed their participation, raising the likelihood of interruptions in telecom connectivity, customer service centres and postal deliveries.
In Bhopal, employees plan to assemble in front of the Post Office building on Hoshangabad Road, where rallies and meetings will be held to demonstrate solidarity. On Wednesday evening, a torch procession was taken out in the state capital as part of the mobilisation effort. Similar pre-strike demonstrations were reported from other districts, including Singrauli, where trade union members held a torch rally.
Despite the bandh call, rail services are expected to operate normally. Schools, colleges and markets will remain open, as no separate local shutdown has been announced. However, transport services could face limited disruption given the state’s significant role in national freight and passenger movement.
Trade union leaders have described the strike as a collective effort to safeguard workers’ rights and ensure proper enforcement of labour protections. They have indicated that further action may follow if their demands are not addressed.
Residents have been advised to complete essential banking and postal work in advance to avoid inconvenience during the strike.
