Delhi protests: Traders body consider approaching govt, courts over business disruptions

Many business claimed large businesses losses amid protests

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is considering approaching the government and courts to seek restrictions on protests and demonstrations that disrupt commercial activity, amid growing concerns among Delhi's traders over losses caused by repeated political agitations.The traders' body will take up the issue at a national meeting in Delhi on November 13, with representatives of trade organisations from across the country expected to attend. It plans to assess the impact of protests in the capital over the past month and draw up a strategy to prevent similar disruptions in other cities.The dispute has gained momentum following a series of demonstrations in Delhi, including the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.

The opposition parties had gathered to protest alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's voter-roll revision exercise and demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.The issue of protest venues has also been contentious. Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar as the capital's designated protest site on October 11 and identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative venues.

However, trade organisations have raised concerns about Ramlila Maidan because of its proximity to major wholesale markets in Old Delhi, including Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli.CAIT has argued that repeated demonstrations, road closures and traffic restrictions affect more than shopkeepers. They disrupt the movement of goods, supply chains, transport services and the livelihoods of employees and small traders.

The organisation has said the impact is particularly severe during the festive and wedding seasons, when commercial activity typically picks up.CAIT Secretary General and Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal said the organisation would discuss designating suitable locations on city outskirts or other appropriate areas for demonstrations. “The proposed sites would enable peaceful demonstrations while protecting markets, commercial centres, transport routes and essential business activities,” he said, according to a statement.The proposal is aimed at allowing political parties and other groups to exercise their right to protest without affecting the ability of businesses to operate. CAIT has said it wants the arrangement to be considered across the country, rather than being limited to Delhi.The November 13 meeting will also discuss other concerns facing traders, including GST compliance, cyber fraud involving digital payments and the proposed 'One Trader-One Licence' framework.

The latter aims to reduce the number of separate licences businesses must obtain from different government departments.CAIT National President B C Bhartia and National Chairman Brij Mohan Agarwal are expected to lead discussions on regulatory changes, simplifying business procedures and strengthening small businesses.The organisation has maintained that the right to peaceful protest must be protected, but should not come at the cost of other citizens' livelihoods and their right to conduct business.