On January 30, 2026, Central Trade Unions condemned a Supreme Court Bench’s remarks blaming "aggressive trade unionism" for industrial stagnation. The unions stressed that the right to association is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(c) of the Indian Constitution. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) general secretary Elamaram Kareem said, "This right is regulated by the Trade Unions Act, 1926 (together with subsequent amendments), which provides for registration and legal immunity for union activities. It enables collective bargaining and representation of workers’ interests." The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) strongly rejected the Court's statement. Its national council said, "This observation starkly exposed the 'class character' in judicial reasoning that is detrimental to the ideals of socialist democracy enshrined in the Constitution." They demanded the Supreme Court withdraw the remarks. The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, stated on January 29 that "a culture of work resistance and forceful leadership of ‘flag bearing’ trade unions have led to the shutdown of many industrial establishments across the country." This came during a hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Penn Thozhilargal Sangam and other unions. AITUC called these observations "deeply concerning, profoundly disturbing, and inconsistent with the constitutional mandate of social justice, equality, and dignity of labour." They added, "To portray trade union activity as a cause of industrial stagnation is to misread economic realities and ignore the destructive consequences of pro-corporate policies resulting in unchecked corporate concentration." The All India Central Council of Trade Unions also criticized the Chief Justice's remarks as "shocking, contrary to facts, and undermining the essential role of trade unions." They noted that industrial closures are due to mismanagement and fund diversion, not union actions. They emphasized that unionized workplaces better implement labour laws. Former Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh general secretary Virjesh Upadhyay said, "Trade unions are not adversaries of development. They are institutions rooted in the enduring Indian tradition of collective solidarity and mutual support that dates back to ancient civilisational practices of worker-guilds and associations." The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the judicial perspective and labour groups over the role of unions in India's industrial landscape.