On May 12, 2026, activists from the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) held a protest at SVP Chowk in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, against the new Labour Codes implemented by the Indian government. The demonstration, led by district president M.B. Sajjan, involved burning copies of the Labour Codes and chanting slogans against the Centre's decision. Sajjan criticized the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for ignoring objections from trade unions and workers' organizations during the formulation of the rules. He argued that the new laws threaten hard-won labor rights and favor corporate interests, potentially jeopardizing job security and employment opportunities for the youth. The protest was part of a broader nationwide initiative by CITU to oppose the Labour Codes, which have faced continuous resistance from workers, including a general strike on February 12 earlier this year. Sajjan urged the state government to refrain from implementing the Labour Codes and to uphold workers' rights as per constitutional principles.