Bharat Bandh disrupts normal life in Kerala; isolated violence reported in Kottayam, Kozhikode

Thiruvananthapuram: A 24-hour nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre’s Labour Codes brought normal life to a standstill across Kerala on Thursday, disrupting transport, banking, government services and business activity, with isolated incidents of violence reported from some districts.

Public transport was largely paralysed as KSRTC employees, private bus operators, autorickshaw and taxi workers stayed off the roads. Travellers were among the worst affected. Passengers arriving by train from other states were left stranded at railway stations, where police operated limited bus services to assist them.

With the Sabarimala temple opening for the Kumbham month pooja on Thursday evening, KSRTC operated limited Pampa services from Thiruvananthapuram, Chengannur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla to facilitate pilgrims. Kochi Metro and online taxi services remained operational, offering partial relief in cities. Most shops and commercial establishments remained closed. Though some public and private sector banks opened in the morning, several were later shut following protests.

The state government had declared a dies non for government employees. The General Administration Department warned that unauthorised absence would result in loss of pay, and no leave would be granted except for specified reasons such as illness, examinations or maternity leave. Despite this, attendance remained low at government offices, including the state secretariat. Educational institutions across the state remained closed.

Tense scenes unfolded at the Government Mixed Upper Primary School in Puthiyangadi, Kozhikode, when protesters attempted to shut it down. A minor clash broke out after residents and parents supported teachers who had arrived at the school. Police intervened and dispersed the crowd, after which the teachers left.

In Kottayam, police registered a case after protesters allegedly vandalised a hotel at Paipad. According to the FIR, a three-member group entered Emerald Hotel around 1.30 pm, threatened staff and customers, and damaged beer bottles, glasses and ice boxes. The glass entrance door of the bar restaurant was also broken. The loss has been estimated at around ₹5 lakh. Thrikodithanam police registered a case against three persons and are examining CCTV footage to trace the accused.

Police personnel were deployed statewide to prevent untoward incidents. However, vehicles including trucks and buses were reportedly stopped in parts of Wayanad, Ernakulam and Palakkad. IT parks, industrial parks and the Special Economic Zone in Kochi functioned with limited staff who arrived in private vehicles. Trade unions organised rallies and meetings across districts.

Addressing protesters in Kochi, CITU general secretary Elamaram Kareem alleged that the new labour laws would enable companies to increase working hours to 12 per day, undermining hard-won labour rights. He said the eight-hour workday, first demanded by workers in Chicago in 1886, should not be diluted.

Congress-backed government employees’ and teachers’ organisations did not participate in the strike. Organisers had earlier stated that essential services and pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala and Maramon would be exempted.