The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has formally requested the Delhi Police Commissioner to prohibit all rallies, sit-ins, protest marches, and demonstrations in the capital until November 11. The traders' body emphasizes that repeated disruptions over the past month have led to an estimated ₹14,000 crore in business losses during the peak festive shopping period.
In its letter, CTI specifically called for a ban on demonstrations at key commercial and public gathering points, including Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, India Gate, Rajghat, and Delhi Gate, covering central and Old Delhi areas. The organization argues that these locations are integral to major commercial hubs, and protests, coupled with associated traffic restrictions, severely impede customer movement, deliveries, and daily business operations.
Impact on Festive Sales
CTI's assessment indicates that Delhi's trading community suffered approximately ₹14,000 crore in losses between October 1 and November 1. This figure accounts for the impact of shop closures, reduced customer footfall, and significant supply-chain disruptions. The body highlighted that a single large rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 alone contributed an estimated ₹10,000–11,000 crore to these losses, with nearly 2.5 lakh shops in 20–25 major markets reportedly shut on that day, severely affecting both retail and wholesale trade just before Diwali.
Brijesh Goyal, Chairman of CTI, underscored the severity of these losses, noting that they coincided directly with the most critical sales period of the year for many businesses. The chamber's appeal is aimed at safeguarding trading activity during the important festivals of Dhanteras, Diwali, and the run-up to Bhai Dooj.
Calls for Compensation and Relocation
Beyond the immediate demand for a protest-free period, CTI has also raised the broader question of compensation for businesses that bear the brunt of large public gatherings and security-related restrictions. The organization has proposed that major political rallies and protests be relocated to the city's periphery, away from central commercial zones, to minimize disruption to markets and commuters.
As of now, there has been no public response from the Delhi Police regarding CTI's demands. Permissions for such gatherings in the capital are typically evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as security, traffic management, public order, and the suitability of the proposed venue.
This plea from the traders has intensified the ongoing debate about balancing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly with the economic imperative of maintaining accessible commercial areas, especially during economically vital periods like the festive season.