The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc's November 1 protest rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that the event could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 crore during the peak festive shopping season.
In a letter to the Congress leader, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could affect wholesale and retail markets across the Capital at a time when traders expect a surge in customers ahead of Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj. Dhanteras falls on November 6 this year, followed by Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10.
The INDIA bloc is planning a ‘Delhi Chalo March’ against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission's special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest is scheduled to take place at Ramlila Maidan.
Traders flag losses and festive-season disruption
Goyal said Delhi records business worth approximately ₹25,000 crore around Dhanteras, spanning sectors such as gold and silver, utensils, electronics, textiles, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, real estate and gift items. He described the festive trade as the backbone of the Capital's economy and noted that shopping generally begins about a week before the festivals.
According to the CTI, traders have already suffered losses of up to ₹3,000 crore in October because of frequent rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi. Goyal attributed the losses to disruptions in the movement of goods to wholesale markets and customers' difficulties in reaching commercial areas.
The traders' body said it fully respects democratic values and the right to peaceful protest. However, it appealed to political parties to avoid rallies and demonstrations during the festive period leading up to and including Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj.
The CTI has warned that holding the rally on November 1 could further affect business during a crucial period for retailers and wholesalers, with the potential disruption estimated at ₹10,000 crore.
Around 20 markets near Ramlila Maidan at risk
The CTI highlighted the concentration of wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan. These include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmere Gate, Nai Sarak, Mori Gate, Kinari Bazar, Dariba, Daryaganj, Ajmeri Gate, Jama Masjid, Jhandewalan, Karol Bagh and Azad Market, among others.
Goyal said traffic diversions, barricading and possible Metro restrictions during the rally could disrupt business operations in these markets, many of which supply goods to different parts of the country.
The traders' body also expressed concern about the proximity of Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations to the protest venue. Hundreds of thousands of traders and buyers travel through these stations, including people arriving from outside Delhi to purchase goods from wholesale markets.
In the letter, Goyal warned that road closures and overcrowding during the rally could cause significant inconvenience to those travelling to and from the Capital, potentially discouraging buyers from visiting markets during the festive season.
The appeal comes amid wider concerns among traders over the impact of protests and security arrangements on commercial activity. Earlier this month, businesses reported reduced customer footfall in parts of Delhi, particularly Connaught Place, following repeated demonstrations and heavy security deployment.
New Delhi Traders’ Association president Atul Bhargava had said that while holding protests was a democratic right, traders also had a right to earn a livelihood. He noted that although shops in his market remained open during a protest, several traders shut their establishments and others reported low footfall.
Supreme Court warns of compensation over livelihood disruption
The concerns were also raised before the Supreme Court on October 16, when it heard a plea related to the impact of protests on traders and daily-wage earners in Delhi.
During the hearing, the court warned that it could invoke its constitutional tort jurisdiction to award compensation if protests disproportionately prevented people from pursuing their livelihoods.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed hope that "better sense will prevail" and that a balance would be maintained between the rights of protesters, traders and the authorities.
The latest appeal adds to the debate over how demonstrations in the Capital can be organised without causing significant disruption to commercial activity. The traders' body has asked Gandhi to consider rescheduling the INDIA bloc rally until after Bhai Dooj on November 10, allowing businesses to operate during the peak festive shopping period.