NEW DELHI: Around 2.5 lakh shops across 20 to 25 major markets in Delhi remained closed on Sunday, with traders claiming losses of Rs 10,000-11,000 crore due to disruptions caused by the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan during the peak Diwali shopping season.Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) chairman Brijesh Goyal said nearly 80% of the approximately three lakh shops in markets surrounding the rally venue remained shut amid concerns over traffic restrictions, congestion and the expected arrival of large crowds.The disruption also affected the movement of customers, suppliers and dealers from towns surrounding the national capital. According to Goyal, around three lakh to four lakh people who regularly travel to Delhi for business did not arrive, while approximately 5,000 vehicles, including tempos and trucks, could not transport goods to markets in Old Delhi and Central Delhi.“Due to the rally held at Ramlila Maidan today, about 20 to 25 major markets in the vicinity were affected. These historic markets house approximately 3,00,000 shops. Based on data we received this evening from various WhatsApp groups—comprising traders from different markets under the CTA (Confederation of All India Traders)—about 80% of these shops—roughly 2,50,000 out of 3,00,000—remained closed today,” he said.Goyal added that loading and unloading operations were disrupted, affecting wholesale and retail businesses during one of the busiest periods of the year.“The movement of goods—loading and unloading—was completely disrupted. During the peak Diwali season, these markets with individual turnovers collectively generate business worth approximately 10,000 to 12,000 crore rupees. Even where shops remained open, sales were virtually non-existent; there were simply no customers,” he said.Putting the estimated losses at Rs 10,000-11,000 crore, Goyal questioned who would compensate traders for the business disruption.“The question now arises: who will compensate for this loss, or who will make up for it—will the organisers do so?” he said.He said the timing of the rally had compounded the impact, as traders were preparing for the festive rush ahead of Dhanteras, scheduled four days later. Businesses in the affected markets depend heavily on the movement of customers and goods during this period.
Traders had warned of business losses ahead of rally
Ahead of the gathering, traders across several major commercial hubs in Delhi had opposed holding the rally at Ramlila Maidan during the peak Diwali shopping season. They warned that traffic congestion and restrictions could disrupt wholesale markets and affect the livelihoods of thousands of daily-wage workers.The Automotive Parts Merchant Association (APMA), based at Kashmere Gate, said the rally’s location could affect commercial activity across a three-kilometre radius, covering several major trading hubs in the capital.APMA president Vinay Narang said traders were not opposed to democratic protests but objected to the timing and choice of venue.“We are not aligned with any political party, nor are we against democratic protests. But the timing and the venue are completely wrong. Ramlila Maidan is located in the middle of Asia’s largest commercial zone—with major markets like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Daryaganj, Mori Gate, and Kashmere Gate within a three-kilometre radius,” Narang said.
Rahul’s video appeal for participants to shop from local traders
Amid concerns raised by traders’ associations, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had appealed to people travelling to Delhi for the rally to support local businesses by shopping from their stores during the festive season.In a video message posted on X on Saturday, Gandhi urged participants to combine their participation in the protest with shopping from small businesses.“Tomorrow, lakhs of people are coming to Delhi for the Ramlila March. It is the festive season. The time of Diwali, Chhath, and Bhai Dooj has arrived. I want those lakhs of people coming to Delhi from outside to support the traders here,” Gandhi said.“Protest, march, hold rallies, and along with that, do a little shopping too – it will benefit the traders,” he added.The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha also accused the BJP of spreading rumours about the rally’s potential economic impact.“I know the rally will not harm the traders. The BJP is scared, that’s why it’s spreading rumours,” he said, adding, “But let’s do both. Tomorrow there will be a march, there will be a rally, and lakhs of people will buy goods from the small shops of our traders.”
INDIA bloc holds rally against SIR, alleged electoral irregularities
The INDIA bloc held the rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging irregularities in the exercise.Several Opposition leaders attended the gathering, including Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Protesters also raised slogans such as “Vote chor, gaddi chhod”, demanding accountability over alleged electoral irregularities.
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‘Business boomed’: Jairam Ramesh hits back at BJP over traders’ loss claims
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday rejected claims that the INDIA bloc rally disrupted business in Delhi, alleging that the BJP’s campaign warning of economic losses had been contradicted by increased shopping in local markets.In a post on X, Ramesh accused the BJP of spreading fear among traders and discouraging people from travelling to the national capital ahead of the rally. He said people arriving from different parts of the country were also expected to shop, benefiting businesses across Delhi.“Every business operating in Delhi would benefit, directly or indirectly,” he said.Ramesh alleged that the campaign was aimed at diverting attention from the Opposition’s allegations of “vote theft” and protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.“But the exact opposite happened,” he said.Claiming that Rahul Gandhi’s appeal had received a positive response, Ramesh said wholesale markets in Old Delhi had opened and business had picked up, while small shopkeepers and street vendors had also benefited.“The people of Delhi and those who came from across the country responded to this smear campaign in their own way. In response to Rahul Gandhi ji’s appeal, people went shopping in Delhi’s markets. Shops in the wholesale markets of Old Delhi opened, and business boomed. On top of that, people bought goods in abundance from small shopkeepers and street vendors too. Newspaper reports themselves are exposing the falsehood of this fake narrative,” he said.Thanking traders, shopkeepers and Delhi residents, Ramesh said they had supported local businesses alongside the democratic protest.“The BJP should understand that the voice of democracy cannot be suppressed by fear or smear campaigns,” he said.His remarks came in contrast to the estimates shared by CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal, who claimed that traders had suffered losses of Rs 10,000-11,000 crore, with around 2.5 lakh shops remaining closed.
Amit Shah questions timing of rally, Rahul alleges shops shut in Delhi
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had criticised the Opposition over holding the rally during the festive shopping season, saying traders had repeatedly requested a postponement until after Diwali.“Traders in Delhi pleaded with them, explaining that they have only one week in the entire year when the bulk of their business takes place. ‘If we stock up on sweets and they don’t sell, what happens? We suffer a loss. If we stock up on firecrackers and they don’t sell, what happens? We suffer a loss…'” Shah said.“The traders held press conferences–not once, but three times–wrote letters, and implored them to hold their rally after Diwali. But no—they insisted on holding their rally on that very day—the same dark day when the anti-Sikh riots, the Sikh massacre, took place,” the Home Minister remarked.
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Before the rally, Rahul Gandhi had also accused the BJP of forcibly shutting shops in Delhi’s Connaught Place and causing financial losses to local traders.In a post on X, Gandhi claimed that people attending the rally had been encouraged to support local businesses but found commercial establishments closed upon reaching the markets.
