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Delhi traders demand a ban on rallies and protests at key locations until November 11 (Img: X)
New Delhi: Delhi’s trading community has urged the police to stop rallies, protest, marches and demonstrations at major locations across the national capital until November 11, citing massive financial losses during the festive season. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has claimed that repeated demonstrations and traffic disruptions caused business losses estimated at Rs 14,000 crore between October 1 and November 1, 2026.
In a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner, CTI sought restrictions on public gatherings at commercial and prominent locations, including Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, India Gate, Rajghat and Delhi Gate. The organisation said further disruptions could seriously affect traders during the crucial Diwali shopping period.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal warned that traders were no longer prepared to absorb additional losses. He said the festive period was particularly important for nearly 20 lakh traders and 75 lakh employees working across Delhi.
“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.
CTI has also proposed alternative venues, including Burari, Alipur, Jasola and Yamuna Khadar, for political rallies and public demonstrations. It has urged the police to ensure better traffic management and parking facilities to allow customers and goods vehicles to move freely.
According to CTI, approximately Rs 3,000 crore in losses resulted from demonstrations and traffic congestion during October. The organisation attributed another Rs 11,000 crore to the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.
CTI claimed that nearly 2.5 lakh shops out of around three lakh establishments across 20-25 major markets within a five kilometre radius of the rally venue remained shut.
Markets such as Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Kashmere Gate, Chawri Bazaar, Karol Bagh and Connaught Place were among those reportedly affected.
The traders' association estimated that retail and wholesale businesses suffered losses of Rs 8,800 crore, while transport and logistics accounted for Rs 1,500 crore. Hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses reportedly lost Rs 500 crore, with another Rs 200 crore attributed to daily wage workers and the informal sector.
CTI also claimed that customers from neighbouring cities avoided travelling to Delhi due to traffic restrictions and congestion.
The INDIA bloc rally was organised to protest alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav, attended the gathering.
With Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj falling within the peak shopping period, CTI has asked authorities to prevent further disruptions until November 11.
