INDIA Block protest planning in Delhi

The Indian National Congress, as part of the INDIA Block, has received a No-Objection Certificate from Delhi Police to hold a large-scale rally at Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3. The protest aims to address alleged irregularities in the electoral process and the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). In response to the scheduled November 1 event, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has requested that leader Rahul Gandhi postpone the rally until after November 10. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal stated that the rally could impact trade worth up to ‘₹10,000 crore’ due to potential disruptions in approximately 20 major wholesale and retail markets near the venue, including Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar. The CTI noted that previous rallies and road closures in central Delhi, including Connaught Place and India Gate, resulted in estimated losses of ‘₹3,000 crore’ during October. Traders expressed fears that traffic diversions, barricading, and metro station closures would hinder the movement of goods and customers during the critical shopping period for Dhanteras and Diwali. The organization highlighted that Dhanteras alone accounts for an estimated ‘₹25,000 crore’ in business across sectors like gold, electronics, and textiles. The organization has requested the event be rescheduled to follow Bhai Dooj to avoid interfering with the festive season. Additionally, representatives from the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have launched an online petition urging the government to designate specific protest sites on the outskirts of Delhi. This move aims to balance democratic rights with the protection of livelihoods for small traders and service providers from commercial disruptions caused by central city demonstrations. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has also supported the call for postponement, noting that previous protests in central Delhi caused losses estimated between ‘Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore’ during October.