Delhi traders seek protest curbs in central areas during festive season

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged the Centre to restrict large-scale protests in key commercial and central areas of Delhi from Navratri to Diwali, arguing that demonstrations, traffic congestion and metro disruptions are hurting businesses ahead of the festive season.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal called for restrictions on large gatherings at Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and Lutyens’ Delhi. The traders’ body also proposed setting up a permanent protest zone outside central Delhi, suggesting Burari or Ramlila Maidan as possible locations.

CTI claimed that business activity in Delhi’s markets had declined by around 70 per cent over the preceding three days, according to its survey. It also said daily visits by shoppers from outside the capital had fallen from an estimated two to three lakh to around 40,000–50,000, while local market footfall had dropped by more than 50 per cent.

Goyal said the festive period was particularly important for traders, with Navratri, Ramlila events, Diwali and the wedding season driving shopping activity. The organisation said the disruptions were affecting the livelihoods of around 15 lakh traders in the capital.

CTI general secretary Gurmeet Arora called for fresh guidelines governing demonstrations involving more than 1,000 people at prominent locations. The organisation said it respected the right to peaceful protest but argued that large gatherings should not disrupt commercial activity.

The demand comes ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party on October 10, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The proposed restrictions are CTI’s demands and do not amount to an announced government policy.

with inputs from PTI