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Punjab Sanitation workers postpone strike to July 30, announce statewide Bandh
Bandh Rescheduled from July 27; Trade Unions and Business Associations Urged to Extend Support
Kamaljeet Singh Sandhu
Barnala (Punjab), July 26, 2026: Sanitation workers across Punjab have postponed their proposed strike from July 27 and announced a statewide Punjab bandh on Thursday, July 30, intensifying their protest against the alleged police action on sanitation workers in Barnala and the government's failure to address their demands.
The announcement was made by Gulshan Kumar, District President of the Barnala Safai Sewak Union, while addressing reporters.
Kumar said the decision to reschedule the strike was taken following consultations with union members. He warned that if the Punjab government does not accept the workers' demands before July 30, sanitation workers will enforce a complete statewide shutdown.
"The entire Punjab will remain shut on July 30 if the government fails to respond to our demands," he said.
The protest follows the alleged lathi charge on sanitation workers in Barnala, which has drawn criticism from several political parties. Leaders from different political organisations visited the injured workers in Barnala and expressed solidarity with their movement, assuring them of support in their ongoing agitation.
Appealing for wider participation, Gulshan Kumar called upon trade unions, revolutionary groups, social organisations and business associations across Punjab to join the July 30 bandh and support what he described as the sanitation workers' "just struggle."
The sanitation workers have been demanding action over the alleged police excesses and the fulfilment of their long-pending demands. Further details regarding the scale of the proposed bandh are awaited.