Ahead of the Opposition rally announced on November 1 at Ramlila Maidan, the Chamber of Trade and Industry on Saturday wrote to the Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, urging him to postpone the protest rally in Delhi.
The traders' body wants Rahul to conduct the protest rally after November 10 in view of the peak festive trading season and potential impact on business.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal requested that the rally be rescheduled to a date after Bhai Dooj. which falls on November 10 this year.
The traders pointed out that Dhanteras, Diwali, and Bhai Dooj are among the busiest periods for Delhi retail markets, with traders beginning festive purchases and sales well in advance.
Dhanteras falls on November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. "Dhanteras alone accounts for business worth around ₹ 25,000 crore in Delhi, covering sectors such as gold and silver, utensils, electronics, clothing, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, furniture and other goods," the letter read.
The traders' body also highlighted the losses suffered in October due to road closures and diversions around Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi.
The traders had already incurred losses of approximately ₹ 3,000 crore because of the disruption.
CTI also said that prominent wholesale and retail markets, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Mori Gate, Tilak Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Chawri Bazaar and Azad Market are located within a 5 km radius of Ramlila Maidan.
The letter further stated that traffic diversions, metro station closures and barricading during the rally could disrupt business activities in these markets.
It also pointed out that the restrictions and congestion during the rally could cause difficulties for commuters and visitors arriving in the city for festive shopping.
Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc have announced a major national rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1 as part of a broader opposition movement protesting against the Election Commission of India's SIR of voter lists.
The INDIA bloc is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the election authority of bias and irregularities in handling voter rolls.
The protest also targets recent restrictions on civil society and student groups, particularly after activists were detained while attempting to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar (which was recently removed as an approved protest site). The rally aims to bring together students, youth organisations, and civil society under a unified platform.
