New Delhi/IBNS-CMEDIA: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc’s Nov 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, warning that the event could disrupt festive-season business worth around Rs 10,000 crore.
In a letter to Gandhi, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal requested that the rally be rescheduled until after Nov 10, when the main festive shopping period covering Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj will have concluded.
The traders’ body said the proposed rally could affect wholesale and retail markets in central Delhi at a time when businesses expect a significant rise in customer footfall and commercial activity.
Dhanteras falls on Nov 6 this year, followed by Diwali on Nov 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10.
According to the CTI, Delhi records business worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore around Dhanteras across sectors including gold and silver, electronics, garments, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gift items.
The organisation said festive shopping activity typically gathers momentum about a week before the festivals, making November 1 a particularly sensitive date for traders.
Traffic restrictions could affect major markets
The CTI has expressed concern that traffic diversions, barricading and possible restrictions on public transport could disrupt the movement of shoppers, traders and goods across central Delhi.
Around 20 wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan could be affected, the traders’ body said. These include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Chawri Bazaar, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmere Gate, Nai Sarak, Dariba, Daryaganj and Karol Bagh.
Several of these markets serve customers and businesses from across India. The CTI warned that congestion and difficulties in accessing commercial areas could discourage buyers travelling to the capital from other states, potentially affecting sales during a crucial period for retailers and wholesalers.
Goyal also claimed that Delhi’s traders had already suffered losses of around Rs 3,000 crore in October because of rallies, marches and road closures in areas such as Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi. The figure represents the traders’ body’s assessment and has not been independently verified.
Rally part of INDIA bloc’s ‘vote chori’ campaign
The INDIA bloc’s proposed rally is part of the Opposition’s campaign over allegations of electoral irregularities, popularly described by Congress as “vote chori”. The Opposition has come down heavily on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The rally is scheduled to take place at Ramlila Maidan, a prominent venue for political gatherings in the national capital.
While acknowledging the importance of democratic protest and political expression, the CTI has appealed to political parties to consider the economic consequences of large gatherings near major commercial centres during the festive season.
The organisation has asked Gandhi to consider holding the rally after November 10, arguing that a change in date would allow traders to conduct business with fewer disruptions during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
The CTI’s request places the proposed political demonstration against the backdrop of competing concerns over the right to protest, public movement and the commercial importance of the festive season. No postponement was reported as of Oct 25.
