Rural India Rises in a Massive July 9 Strike
Vikram Singh
ON July 9, 2025, as the urban proletariat launched a powerful strike, the villages of India also echoed with the sound of resistance. In a historic show of unity and determination, agricultural workers, rural labourers, peasants, and other toiling masses across the country rose in a massive rural strike. The rural proletariat responded forcefully, turning the day into a historic moment of collective assertion. The strike was called by a joint platform of Central Trade Unions and independent sectoral federations. In many parts of various states, the situation resembled a complete bandh.
The joint platform of agricultural and rural workers, along with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, supported the general strike, uniting around their common demands. The success and massive participation in the strike were the outcome of sustained and intensive campaigning on workers’ and farmers’ issues – both jointly and independently – by the constituent organisations of the three platforms. Our three class organisations – AIKS, CITU, and AIAWU – organised joint meetings and conventions at multiple levels across different states, conducting grassroots-level campaigns. Through these efforts, the toiling masses recognised a shared adversary: the imposition of anti-worker labour codes, the corporatisation of agriculture, the weakening of MGNREGA, and the ongoing corporate plunder of land.
The overwhelming participation in rural areas reflects deep discontent over a prolonged agrarian and rural economic crisis, exacerbated by repeated policy failures. The dilution of MGNREGA, drastic cuts in welfare spending, rising prices of essential commodities, stagnant wages, and mass unemployment have pushed rural communities – particularly agricultural workers, marginal peasants, women, adivasis, and dalits – into severe distress. From the fields of Punjab to the forests of Assam, and from the hamlets of Bihar to the tribal belts of Maharashtra, lakhs of agricultural labourers, MGNREGA workers, scheme workers, and marginal farmers stood united to demand their rights and dignity.
In Kerala, the strike saw massive participation from the rural working class, making it one of the most impactful actions in the state. Agricultural workers and farmers organised protest actions across all 14 districts. Reports indicate that agricultural workers carried out actions at 1,992 centres, with 1,29,440 members of KSKTU (the Kerala state unit of AIAWU) participating, including 41,146 women comrades.
In West Bengal, a large-scale joint campaign was carried out by AIAWU, CITU, and AIKS alongside the broader joint platforms, receiving overwhelming public support. The campaign reached 16,720 villages and 248 blocks across 21 districts. On the day of the strike, militant protest actions were organised across the state, with many comrades bravely facing police repression. According to the state report, agricultural workers participated at 500 centres across 195 blocks in all 21 districts. In rural Bengal, the campaign focused on urgent issues such as MGNREGA, housing, wages, and rampant land grabs.
Agricultural workers in Tripura actively participated in the General Strike across all eight districts. Public meetings were held at 27 street corners, drawing large and enthusiastic participation from people across various sections of society.
While trade unions led effective strikes in urban areas, agricultural and rural workers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana staged road blockades and picketing actions. Thousands joined in a militant display of support for the strike.
In Tamil Nadu, rural workers from districts such as Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Tiruchirapalli, and others carried out massive and militant actions. In several districts, agricultural workers, in coordination with farmers and other sections of the working class, successfully halted multiple trains, showcasing the strength of rural unity and resistance.
In Karnataka, agricultural and rural workers from across the state participated actively. Massive mobilisations took place in Mandya, Bagepalli, Chikkaballapur, Koppal, and other centres. The spirit of our comrades remained unwavering despite brutal attacks by the police.
In Punjab, rural and agricultural workers participated in large numbers across 18 districts, alongside massive mobilisations led by CITU and AIKS. Participation was especially noteworthy in Jalandhar, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Workers militantly raised demands for housing for all rural workers and a waiver of their debts.
In Maharashtra, agricultural and rural workers turned out in strength, particularly in coordination with farmers in Beed and Jalna districts. Hundreds mobilised across the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions in support of the July 9th strike. During the campaign leading up to the strike, a proposed bill – subsequently introduced in the Assembly on July 9 – emerged as a major flashpoint. The widespread public anger against this draconian legislation was clearly visible in the massive response to the strike.
In Uttar Pradesh, the strike campaign reached 2,300 villages across 113 blocks in more than 30 districts. On the day of the strike, protest actions took place at 53 centres across 83 blocks in 30 districts. Thousands of agricultural workers joined the nationwide action, voicing strong opposition to the installation of smart meters and the ongoing privatisation of electricity. In Kasganj and Deoria districts, massive marches were organised.
In Rajasthan, demonstrations were held in four districts, focusing on the demands of agricultural and rural workers. Participation was especially significant in Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Sikar. The active involvement of women agricultural workers at the tehsil level was particularly commendable.
In Bihar, the campaign was carried out extensively across various districts. A state-level convention of the three class organisations – AIAWU, AIKS, and CITU – was held to mobilise and coordinate the strike campaign. Massive participation was recorded from various sections of the population. While the campaign initially centred on basic demands of workers and farmers, the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls struck a deeper chord, provoking widespread public anger. People from all walks of life stood in solidarity with the toiling masses on July 9th. Agricultural workers actively participated in 22 districts, with effective demonstrations and chakka jams (road blockades) organised from the village to the district level, marking a powerful rural assertion.
The General Strike of July 9, 2025, was more than a one-day protest; it was a declaration of intent. It marked the assertion of class consciousness and the readiness to confront the twin enemies of corporate exploitation and the communal threat posed by Hindutva. The participation of lakhs of workers and peasants, cutting across caste, religion, and region, exposed the deepening crisis in the countryside and the simmering anger against the policies of the BJP-led regime. The struggle must now deepen, expand, and unify.
