India on strike: 300 million people participated in a strike against Modi’s policies
On February 12, 2026, 300 million workers, farmers, students, and professionals from various economic sectors participated in one of the largest strikes in India in recent years.
The nationwide protest action was organised to defend labour and social rights and to protest against the policies of the country’s right-wing government.
The call for the strike was issued by the Central Trade Unions (CTUs), a joint platform that unites India’s major trade union federations, including the Centre of 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).
In response to this call, workers halted production and work at hundreds of coal mines, oil refineries, industrial plants, banks, and transport networks across the country.
Millions of farmers and agricultural workers also joined the action under the banners of organisations such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the All India Agricultural Workers’ Union (AIAWA).
The strike received support from the country’s main left-wing parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation.
Mass rallies also took place in front of government offices, where thousands of people marched with red flags and placards, chanting slogans against the government’s policies.
Among the main demands are the cancellation of recent trade agreements that India has concluded with the US and the EU.
Trade unions and left-wing parties argue that these agreements jeopardise national sovereignty and undermine the livelihoods of millions of farmers by granting foreign agricultural products unrestricted access to Indian markets.
In addition, farmers and workers reiterated their demand for the repeal of a series of laws introduced by the Modi administration, including legislation on labour rights (the introduction of four labour codes that significantly weaken the labour rights established after India’s independence), the privatisation of the power distribution system, and seed regulation, which they characterise as pro-corporate and detrimental to broad layers of workers.
In a statement by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on the recent strike, it is stated:
“The working class has spoken loudly and clearly. The CPI(M) reiterates its solidarity with workers, farmers, and agricultural workers who are protesting against various anti-people measures of the BJP government.
The government must immediately repeal the four labour codes and ensure the protection of the hard-won rights of workers.
It must repeal the VB-GRAMG law [a new rural employment law], withdraw the proposal to privatise the power distribution system, and withdraw the seed bill.
It must also withdraw from the various free trade agreements (FTAs) and trade deals it has signed, especially with the US and Europe, as they harm the interests of Indian workers, farmers, and the general population.”
