On Monday, a 48-hour Bharat bandh, or national strike convened by various unions, began in several states to protest against government policy. The strike will run for two days, March 28 and 29. Most banks, including the State Bank of India (SBI), have informed their customers of the proposed strike and the likely impact on services in the past.

Here is everything we know about Bharat Bandh:

The All-India Bank Employees Association today and tomorrow calls for an all-India bank strike to protest the government's plan to privatize public sector banks.

Banking services were affected on Monday in part because some of the bank's employees did not come to the service in support of a two-day nationwide general strike convened by central unions, according to news channel.

AIBEA public sector banks, private banks, foreign banks, cooperative banks and regional rural banks will take part in the strike, the banking union said in a statement.

Members of various trade unions and left-wing organizations staged a protest against central government policy, including the privatization of PSU banks in Vijayawada.

The Joint Central Unions Forum called for a nationwide strike on 28 and 29 March to protest government policies affecting workers, farmers and the people.

In Kerala, the roads have an abandoned look and only a few private cars can be seen. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has terminated its services.

In West Bengal, despite unions protesting in the streets, the state government has asked all authorities to stay open and report staff to the service.

The demands of the unions include the withdrawal of the proposed changes in labor law, privatization in any form and the gain of national monetization. Their demand also includes increased wage distribution under MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and regularization of contract workers.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Electricity recommended that all state-owned companies and other agencies continuously monitor and guarantee the power supply and stability of the national network.

Following a union call for the national band on March 28-29, the West Bengal government said on Saturday that all offices would remain open for several days and ordered employees to report for duty.