After the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar urging him to not permit any rallies or protests in Delhi until November 11.
Highlighting the losses, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal pointed out that between October 1 and November 1, Delhi's businesses have suffered, adding that traders had incurred a loss of ₹14,000 crore due to rallies, sit-ins and protest demonstrations.
Last month, a ₹3,000 crore loss was registered, indicating how the Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc rally had majorly affected Delhi businesses despite repeated appeals by the traders' body to defer in the wake of the festive season.
"Look, over the past month, from October 1 to November 1, Delhi's businesses have suffered losses amounting to ₹14,000 crore due to large-scale rallies, protests, sit-ins and demonstrations. From October 1 to October 30, the losses were approximately ₹3,000 crore," Goyal told PTI.
He also added that the mega rally held on November 1 resulted in losses of around ₹11,000 crore.
Businesses are in no position to bear further loss. "Dhanteras falls on November 6, Diwali on November 8, and Bhai Dooj on November 10 and 11. Delhi's traders are no longer in a position to bear further losses," CTI chairman said.
Key locations cited by the traders include Connaught Place, Rajghat, Patel Chowk, India Gate, Jantar Mantar and Ramlila Maidan. Traders' body claims that these areas are major commercial hubs in Central Delhi, Old Delhi and other parts of the capital.
They also warned of handing over keys of their shops to protest organisers if the businesses are disrupted again during festive season.
The next few days are crucial for nearly 20 lakh traders and 75 lakh employees in Delhi, as festive season offers one of the biggest business opportunities of the year, Goyal said.
“Traders are no longer in a position to bear further losses. If Diwali business is affected now, traders will hand over the keys of their shops to the organisers of rallies and protests," he warned.
Speaking about the impact on traders, Goyal said the closures were largely due to panic over the expected arrival of a large number of people and vehicles for the rally.
“Due to the rally held at Ramlila Maidan today, about 20 to 25 major markets in the vicinity were affected. These historic markets house approximately 3,00,000 shops. Based on data we received this evening from various WhatsApp groups—comprising traders from different markets under the CTA (Confederation of All India Traders)—about 80% of these shops—roughly 2,50,000 out of 3,00,000—remained closed today,” he said.
SC's stand on protests
Addressing ongoing nationwide protests, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that no group or individual holds an indefinite right to occupy a designated protest site, emphasising that public spaces must remain accessible to all citizens seeking to raise their issues.
The Supreme Court's remarks came during a hearing on multiple petitions challenging police conduct during the CJP-led July protests, which raised concerns over mass detentions, police excesses, internet shutdowns, and metro disruptions.
“Even the right to protest at a designated site has to be for a certain period. You cannot occupy a protest site for all time to come…where will farmers, traders, journalists go? Everyone has a right to protest. Designated sites must be given for a designated period,” a bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, observed.
