Historic general strike mobilizes millions of workers across India

Image via the CITU

On Thursday, February 12, as many as 300 million workers, farmers, students, and professionals from diverse sectors across India protested in the streets in defense of their rights and to condemn the anti-labour policies of the ultra-right-wing government in the country.

The strike shut down coal fields, refineries, factories, banks, and transportation services. Workers were responding to the call of the Central Trade Unions (CTUs), a coalition of major trade unions in India, including the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), among others.

According to the CITU: "In more than 2,000 places, thousands of workers, farmers, and agricultural and rural workers participated in massive mobilisations, marking this as one of the largest strikes in India. The mood of the people clearly expresses their determination for a do-or-die battle against the imposition of Labour Codes and other anti-worker policies. The huge mobilisation of farmers was also intensified due to the shameful India-US deal – the people of India will make imperialist forces retreat with courage and strength."

They went on to state: "The 12 February 2026 General Strike has demonstrated that the workers and farmers of India will not submit to any pressure. From coalfields and refineries to ports, factories, plantations and financial institutions, the working people of India have asserted their unity and determination. In capacity to stall the production and service as well as to mobilize on street, this strike was historic."

Full statement:

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued a statement of congratulations:

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) congratulates the working class of our country on the successful general strike today.

Peasants and agricultural workers joined the working class in protesting against the notification of the four labour codes, the virtual repeal of the rights based Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, along with other anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-people policies of the BJP-led Union government.

The working class made its voice heard loud and clear. The CPI(M) reiterates its solidarity with the workers, farmers, and agricultural workers who are protesting the various anti-people policies of the BJP government.

The government should immediately rescind the notification of the four labour codes and ensure that the hard-won rights of workers are protected.

It should rescind the VB-GRAMG legislation, call back the proposal for privatisation of electricity distribution and withdraw the seed bill as well. It should also withdraw from the various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and trade deals it has signed, particularly with the US and Europe, as they are detrimental to the interests of Indian workers, farmers and people in general.