The Federation of Sadar Bazar Trades Association has written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to intervene and seek a postponement of the INDIA bloc’s proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan on November
1. The traders’ body said the event could disrupt business activities in Delhi’s commercial markets during the crucial Diwali shopping season.
In its letter to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the association requested the Congress leadership to reschedule the rally to a date after November 10. It expressed concern that protests, traffic restrictions and crowd movement could further affect businesses already facing losses, news agency ANI reported.
According to the federation, the period between Dhanteras and Diwali accounts for an estimated turnover of around ₹25,000 crore across Delhi’s markets, making it one of the most important trading windows for shopkeepers and small business owners.
Delhi Traders Write To Sonia Gandhi
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written to Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, urging her to postpone the party’s proposed mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 until after Diwali.
The traders’ body has warned that the event could disrupt business worth ₹10,000–12,000 crore daily across 20 major markets in central and Old Delhi.
According to CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal, the rally is expected to draw around 10 lakh people and 15,000–20,000 vehicles, potentially causing severe traffic congestion and parking problems.
The association said such disruptions could create lockdown-like conditions, affecting the movement of goods and customer access during the crucial festive shopping season. CTI has suggested two alternatives: rescheduling the rally to November 10–11 or shifting the venue to Burari Maidan, which has greater parking capacity.
The traders’ body said it had earlier approached Rahul Gandhi and was now seeking Sonia Gandhi’s intervention to consider its concerns.
Traders Flag Business Disruptions During Festive Season
The association pointed out that repeated protests, rallies and traffic restrictions in September and October had already caused considerable financial losses to traders. It said these disruptions had affected customer footfall, the transportation of goods and access to commercial establishments, particularly in crowded wholesale markets.
The proposed November 1 rally, it warned, could create further difficulties for businesses in Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli and Chawri Bazar. Road closures, traffic diversions and large gatherings could restrict customer access and disrupt the movement and delivery of goods during the festive rush.
Traders Warn Of Impact On Workers, Small Businesses
The federation also drew attention to the thousands of people employed in these commercial markets, including sales staff, helpers, delivery personnel and other workers whose livelihoods depend on festive-season business.
It said disruptions during this short trading period could affect the annual earnings of traders and the incomes of their families. The association, therefore, appealed to Rahul Gandhi to take up the matter with the Congress leadership and ensure that the rally is held after November 10.
The traders’ body maintained that political events could be shifted to a later date in the larger public interest, whereas the Diwali season provides small businesses with an important opportunity to earn a significant portion of their annual income.
The letter was signed by Rakesh Kumar Yadav, President; Kamal Kumar, General Secretary; and Deepak Mittal, Treasurer of the Federation of Sadar Bazar Trades Association (Regd.).
Traders’ Bodies Approach Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee
The federation has also approached Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over the proposed rally. Separately, the Kirana Committee Delhi has written to Akhilesh Yadav and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting them to seek a postponement of the protests.
The INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, is scheduled to hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The protest has been planned against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
