NEW DELHI: Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) on Tuesday wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner, seeking a ban on rallies, sit-ins, protests and marches across the national capital until November 11. The trade body cited significant business losses caused by demonstrations over the past month.In its letter, the traders’ body urged police not to grant permission for such events, particularly in areas including Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, India Gate, Rajghat, Delhi Gate, Central Delhi and Old Delhi. The request comes amid concerns over disruptions to commercial activity during the festive season.According to CTI estimates, protests and demonstrations held over the past month have resulted in losses amounting to Rs 14,000 crore for Delhi’s trading community. The organisation has argued that repeated disruptions have affected markets, restricted customer movement and hit business activity across several parts of the city.The demand comes days after the INDIA bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan triggered a political row over its impact on traders. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal had earlier estimated that the event alone caused losses of Rs 10,000-11,000 crore, claiming that around 2.5 lakh shops out of nearly three lakh in 20-25 major markets near the venue remained closed.The Congress, however, disputed these claims. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the BJP had spread a false narrative about business losses to discredit the rally, claiming that traders had instead benefited from the arrival of visitors from across the country.
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Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had also accused the BJP of “forcibly shutting down” shops in Connaught Place ahead of the rally, saying participants had been encouraged to support local businesses but found several establishments closed.Union home minister Amit Shah had earlier criticised the opposition for holding the rally ahead of Diwali despite traders’ requests to postpone it, citing concerns over losses during the crucial festive shopping period.
