Bharat Bandh: Trade union strike disrupts Kerala life; transport services hit

Daily travel, governance, public service delivery, and commercial activities in Kerala sputtered to a halt in the first hours of the 24-hour nationwide general strike called by trade unions on Thursday (February 12, 2026). 

At least 12 national trade unions are protesting against the Central government’s “anti-worker and patently pro-corporate” labour codes. They have demanded their immediate rollback. 

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Central trade unions observe nationwide strike against Centre’s ‘anti-worker’ policies

The general strike resonated strongly among the rural population, rattled by the Centre’s decision to “scuttle” the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which assured minimum wage days for unskilled workers.

The ruling front and the Opposition in Kerala had accused the Centre of replacing the scheme with a watered-down version and of slashing federal allocations for rural employment. The trade unions have demanded that the Centre restore the MGNREGS immediately. 

Transport sector hit

The industrial action was felt most acutely in the State’s transport sector. Public and private stage carriage services ground to a halt, leaving commuters in the lurch and driving down the attendance level at government offices and private establishments. 

Autorickshaws stayed off the road. The strike severely hit the hail taxi and online food ordering and delivery services. Hotels and restaurants largely closed their doors. Major markets, particularly Chalai in Thiruvananthapuram, appeared deserted. The strike disrupted interstate freight movement as truckers parked in lots and along national and State highways. The tourism sector was also hit, with cancellations of bookings. 

The general strike also disrupted the academic calendar. School and college teachers’ unions and student organisations supported the general strike. Most schools and colleges closed their doors. Few attended government offices, including the government Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, even though the Kerala government declared a dies non on Thursday. 

Left-leaning trade unionists, bank and government employees, pensioners, and farmers’ bodies have declared solidarity with the striking labour unions. The trade unions have also demanded the withdrawal of the “right-wing revanchist” National Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government. 

Stranded passengers outside the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station on Thursday as the strike called by trade unions severely hit the transport sector.
| Photo Credit:
Nirmal Harindran

The trade unions had exempted private travel, including to airports, railway stations and hospitals, from the general strike. Kochi metro plied as usual. Train services operated as usual. Government hospitals recorded a relatively low number of outpatients, with many deferring medical appointments due to the general strike. 

In Wayanad, strike supporters briefly detained a KSRTC long-distance bus. In Thiruvananthapuram, KSRTC operated skeletal services with a police escort to shuttle persons alighting at the Railway terminal in Thampanoor to the Government Medical College Hospital and Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) for their medical appointments.

Left party leaders and supporters take part in a march in Kannur as part of the nationwide strike on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
S.K. Mohan

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the strike would not upset the schedule of the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) Puthuyuga Yatra.

The Congress, trade unions, and service organisations said they would observe the strike independently of Left trade unions.

The general strike will end at midnight on Friday.