Bengaluru witnessed dramatic scenes as hundreds of IT employees joined a nationwide general strike against the newly enforced labour codes. The protest, organized near Town Hall, saw participation from members of the Karnataka IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) and several central trade unions. Police detained and arrested many demonstrators, including KITU General Secretary Suhas Adiga, as tensions escalated in the heart of the city.
The labour codes—covering wages, social security, industrial relations, and occupational safety—were introduced with the promise of simplification and modernisation. However, many workers argue that the changes dilute hard-won protections and weaken collective bargaining rights. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans condemning the government’s move, insisting that the reforms favour corporations at the expense of employees.
The demonstration disrupted traffic around Town Hall and adjoining roads for several hours, with police eventually dispersing crowds and shifting detainees to designated grounds. While banking services were affected due to clerks and staff joining the strike, other sectors like transport saw a limited impact. For IT employees, the protest was a rare moment of stepping out of offices and into the streets, highlighting their growing frustration with policies they believe undermine worker rights.
Beyond the arrests and slogans, the protest humanised the struggle of India’s modern workforce. These were not just union leaders but everyday employees—coders, analysts, and engineers—standing shoulder to shoulder to demand fair treatment. Their presence underscored a larger truth: even in the digital age, the fight for dignity and justice in the workplace remains deeply personal.
Bangalore IT employees hit the streets against anti-worker labour codes.
— Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (@kitu_hq) February 13, 2026
Hundreds of IT employees arrested, along with Karnataka IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) General Secretary Suhas Adiga and other activists from KITU and various Central Trade Unions, #GeneralStrike pic.twitter.com/WbuXt5OCGt
