Delhi markets to reopen on Sunday amid protests, traders urge vigilance and security

Delhi markets are reopening on Sunday amid fresh protest calls at Jantar Mantar, with traders urging tighter security as fears of festive season business losses grow.

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Several markets in Delhi have decided to reopen on Sunday, urging traders to step up security and remain vigilant amid a tense situation following Saturday’s crackdown and heavy security deployment across the Capital. The decision comes as the CJP and student groups have called for another round of protests at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, raising concerns over potential disruptions during the festive shopping season.

Atul Bhargava, who heads the New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA), said that a fresh advisory had been issued to markets. “This is the festival season and a lot of stock purchases by traders have already been made. We have asked the markets to re-open today but they must increase the vigilance. Deploy people near entrances to check no rowdy element is creating ruckus. A lot of chaos was seen in Connaught Place on Saturday but we can’t keep asking people to shut their shops,” he added.

“Looking at the ongoing protests & sensitive situation in and around Connaught Place on Saturday. We request everyone to be vigilant & cautious while re-opening on 11/10/26. Please keep your doors on guard and let us be alert and safe,” the advisory to the New Delhi markets reads.

Sanjiv Mehra, who heads the Khan Market Traders Association (KMTA), said that Khan Market would remain fully open.

“Yesterday, we kept the market on wait and watch mode. Shops were opened after closure of three hours. Police was able to contain the protest. We have decided to remain open on Sunday,” he added.

Ashok Kalra, general secretary of the Sarojini Nagar market, echoed the same sentiments, citing fears of business losses. “Navratri have started and this is the peak sale season for us. Our market is fully open and we urge customers to come. Yesterday, we witnessed sharp drop in footfalls. We are also urging police and authorities to help ensure normalcy,” he added.

Brijesh Goyal, who heads the Chamber of Trade and Industries, said that retail markets would remain partially open due to uncertainty in the wake of the protests. “There was hardly any business yesterday. Not just retail trade, but including service sector, hospitality sector, transport, tourism, business has been affected across. Closure of markets during the festival has given a huge shock to traders.”

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  Paras Singh is a New Delhi-based journalist with Hindustan Times, where he serves as Deputy Metro Editor. He reports on urban governance, the Delhi government, the Delhi BJP, water management, the environment, communities and city life. He joined Hindustan Times in 2021 after beginning his journalism career at The Times of India in 2016, where he covered civic bodies, the water and power sectors, and urban infrastructure. Over the last decade, some of his reporting has led to significant public impact, with investigations into environmental violations, corruption and illegal industrial activity contributing to multiple judicial interventions by the National Green Tribunal and the Delhi High Court. A graduate of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, Paras studied journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. Having extensively covered the capital's evolving civic and governance landscape, his recent work increasingly explores Delhi's history, built heritage, urban evolution and the relationship between people and place, alongside continuing to report on governance and public policy.Read More

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