As part of the nation-wide Bharat Bandh, hundreds of trade union members staged a large-scale protest in Madurai on Wednesday, demanding pro-labour reforms and resisting privatisation of public sectors. Nearly 1,000 members from various unions gathered outside the railway station following a march that began at the Kattabomman statue on RMS Road.

Participating unions included the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Marumalarchi Labour Front (MLF), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Staff Federation (TTSF).

The protesters sat on the road, raising slogans and holding placards with demands that included the withdrawal of the four new labour codes, implementation of assured minimum wages, and establishment of a national welfare board for unorganised workers to ensure job security and fair pay.

R. Lenin, district secretary of CITU, stated that the protest was in response to the BJP-led Union government’s policies that have allegedly harmed working-class people across sectors like agriculture, transport, and education. He said the government’s push for privatisation in key areas such as railways, healthcare, and education has not only reduced service quality but excluded the general public from essential access.

He further criticised the Centre for failing to control inflation and fuel prices, saying the rising cost of essentials has severely impacted the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.

Police intervened when protesters attempted to block traffic, briefly detaining them before releasing them in the afternoon.

Separately, the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisation (JACTO-GEO) protested against education privatisation, while the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA) held demonstrations seeking protection of public sector undertakings.