Delhi's traders have asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to defer the INDIA bloc's proposed anti-SIR rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, saying it will disrupt traffic and market access, causing losses worth Rs 10,000 crore to businesses.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) wrote to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, saying that the rally during the festive rush will adversely impact wholesale and retail trade in the national capital.
Why traders want the INDIA bloc rally postponed
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said Delhi witnesses’ extensive business activity during the holiday season.
"The festival rush starts with Dhanteras on November 6 and ends with Bhai Dooj on November 10. Businesses dealing in gold and silver, electronic goods, textiles, cars, sweets and gifts witness a turnover of about Rs 25,000 crore during this period," he said.
The rally on November 1 will disrupt commercial activity in several markets located within a five km radius of Ramlila Maidan, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Kashmiri Gate, Jama Masjid, Jhandewalan and Karol Bagh, he said.
Traffic diversions, closure of some roads and the Metro Line, which passes near the protest site, will restrict movement of people and goods, he said.
The proximity of Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations to the protest site will also cause inconvenience to traders and customers who travel by train to and from the Capital, Goyal said.
Traders lose up to Rs 3,000 crore in October due to rallies
The CTI said traders faced losses worth up to Rs 3,000 crore after rallies, marches and roadblocks were held in the city during October, including near Connaught Place, India Gate and Central Delhi.
"Traffic bottlenecks affected the movement of goods and customers. Restrictions on road access impacted the supply chain," the CTI said in its letter.
Earlier this month, New Delhi Traders' Association president Atul Bhargava had said protests blocked roads and damaged businesses.
"We do not oppose the right to protest but traders also have a right to livelihood," he had said.
Supreme Court takes note of protest impacting livelihood
The Supreme Court took note of the issue on October 16 and said it would consider invoking its constitutional tort jurisdiction to grant compensation if it found that protesters were disproportionately impacting the livelihood of traders and daily-wage workers.
The INDIA bloc's 'Delhi Chalo March' is being organized to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
As festive season approaches, Delhi's traders have urged political parties to avoid protests in the national capital, especially in the days leading up to Dhanteras on November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10.