Delhi downed its shutters to protest against the Pahalgam killings and Shahi Imam of historic Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhar said terrorists claim to be Muslims but have acted in a manner that is utterly “un-Islamic.” He made this assertion in his address during Friday prayers. People gathered for Friday prayers also staged a protest at the mosque’s stairs, raising slogans against terrorism and expressing their anger over the killing of 26 people, most of them tourists, at Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday. Traders’ bodies also took out an anti an anti-terrorism march organised by Delhi Hindustani Mercantile Association, the apex body of cloth traders during the shutdown. The traders had also taken out a candle march in Connaught Place to express solidarity with the victims.
According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), several of Delhi’s busiest commercial hubs, including Connaught Place, Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk, were bereft of their usual hubbub on Friday as over 900 markets and 8 lakh shops downed its shutters, to an estimated trade loss of around `1,500 crore for the day. Shops across key sectors such as as groceries, dry fruits, chemicals, grains, iron, bullion, stationery, electrical goods, textiles, spices, utensils, and bullion also joined the shutdown.
Sadar Bazar, one of Delhi’s most prominent markets, usually bustling with activity, wore a deserted look on Friday as even vegetable vendors did not turn up, a member of the traders’ association said. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, Chairperson of the Federation of Sadar Bazar, said by shutting down our shops today, we are urging the Prime Minister to ensure that justice is delivered to the victims and their families.
Asia’s largest wholesale readymade garment market in Gandhinagar remained completely shut, said a statement issued by the market association. “The shutdown was held to demand justice for the tourist who was killed and to stand united against terrorism,” it said. Kashmeri Gate, Asia’s largest spare parts market wore a deserted look. Traders’ say, most of the markets including Sadar Bazaar, Bhagirath Place, Gandhinagar, Naya Bazar, Khari Baoli, Chawri Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Dariba Kalan, Kashmeri Gate, Kamla Nagar, Jama Masjid, and Hauz Qazi, Karol Bagh, Malviya Nagar, INA Market wore a deserted look on Friday.
Some of the markets association held rallies in their areas to protest the Pahalgam terror attack.
Connaught Place, one of Delhi’s most coveted markets, known for its branded stores and restaurants, remained closed. So was Mukherjee Nagar, a major hub for coaching centres. The usually vibrant streets of Chandni Chowk, Janpath, and Sarojini Nagar had no teenagers thronging them. Thousands of traders took part in a march from Chandni Chowk to Red Fort, calling for urgent action.
In Chandni Chowk, trader associations displayed a poster featuring photos of the 26 victims captioned with brief descriptions. They offered floral tributes and lit candles in their memory. Many protesters wore black ribbons and carried posters that read ‘Delhi Bandh in protest against the massacre in Jammu and Kashmir.’
“The brutal killing of innocent people in Pahalgam has outraged the entire business community of Delhi. Over 8 lakh traders have closed their shops in protest. The attackers must face strict punishment,” BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal, who took part in the protest, said.
Daryaganj, Jama Masjid, Dariba, Chawri, Nai Sadak, Lal Kuan, Naya Bans, Khari Baoli, Naya Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, Mori Gate, Kashmeri Gate, Malviya Nagar, INA Market, South Ex Market, Laxmi Nagar, and others observed a complete shutdown.
“This is not just a protest; it is a collective stand against terrorism. We are all united in this fight and are observing the bandh in memory of those who lost their lives in Pahalgam,” Brijesh Goyal, Chairperson of the CTI, said on Friday.
Meanwhile, Citing the Quran, Bukhari said, “To kill one human being is as if to kill all of humanity, and to save one human being is as if to save all of humanity.” Sanctity of human blood is such that taking the life of an innocent invites the “wrath” of Allah, he said addressing the people gathered at the mosque. Terrorism can never be justified or supported on any grounds, he said in a statement.
“The terrorists, claiming to be Muslims, have displayed behaviour that is utterly un-Islamic. What kind of Islam have they learned or been taught?”
The “horrifying” incident in Pahalgam has shaken the “conscience” of India and stirred deep emotions within all the people, he said.
Killing innocent people on the basis of their religious identity is an “unforgivable crime”, Bukhari said. “People were stripped to identify their religious affiliation, and on confirming they were Hindus, these helpless and innocent individuals were shot and killed.”
The Shahi Imam said that the Pahlagam incident has nothing to do with the teachings, history or culture of Islam. “If such acts continue unchecked, it is hard to say where this will lead. India and its rich, traditional culture will never accept or allow such brutality under any circumstances,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Palam’s 360 khap panchayat, led by its chief Chaudhary Surender Solanki staged a strong protest and took out a candle march against the dastardly incident. The march began at Ambedkar Bhavan in Palam Extension and concluded at Ramphal Chowk where a large number of men, women, youth, and elderly took to the streets holding candles to pay respect to the martyrs and displayed unity against terrorism.