‘Postpone the mega-rally at Ramlila Maidan…’ Traders write to Rahul Gandhi; business at risk during the festive season

New Delhi. Ahead of Diwali, traders in Delhi have written to the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, with a significant request. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Rahul Gandhi to postpone the rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan. Traders point out that there are 20 major wholesale and retail markets in the vicinity of Ramlila Maidan. They fear that the rally could disrupt movement and business operations in these markets, potentially leading to losses worth crores.

In his letter, CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal has requested that the rally be postponed. He suggests that it could be held after ‘Bhaiya Dooj’. Since Bhaiya Dooj falls on November 10, Goyal has appealed to Rahul Gandhi to defer the rally until after that date.

Loss of ₹3,000 crore in October
Brijesh Goyal notes that this is the peak season for Diwali, and business worth approximately ₹10,000 crore could be adversely affected. It is worth mentioning that the Congress party has announced a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for November 1—a move that has prompted the CTI to express its concerns. In his letter to Rahul Gandhi, CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal wrote, “We humbly request that this rally be postponed until November 10 (Bhaiya Dooj).”

According to CTI estimates, Delhi’s traders have already suffered losses of approximately ₹3,000 crore in October due to frequent rallies and marches in areas like Connaught Place, India Gate, and Central Delhi. ‘Rallies will bring markets to a standstill’
Within a 5-km radius of Ramlila Maidan lie some of Delhi’s most prominent wholesale and retail markets—including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmiri Gate, Naya Bazar, Mori Gate, Kinari Bazar, Dariba, Daryaganj, Ajmeri Gate, Jama Masjid, Jhandewalan, Karol Bagh, Nabi Karim, Azad Market, and Lajpat Rai Market. Traders point out that these markets supply goods across all of India. Consequently, if rallies are held, the resulting traffic diversions, closures of metro stations, and the installation of barricades will bring all business activity in these markets to a complete standstill.

The CTI Chairman notes that both the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations are located near Ramlila Maidan. Every day, lakhs of traders and shoppers arrive from these stations to conduct business. There is a concern that if routes are blocked during a rally, it will cause significant hardship for those traveling to and from these areas.

Brijesh Goyal stated that he fully respects the democratic right to peaceful protest. However, he urged political parties to refrain from holding large rallies in Delhi’s major market areas during the Diwali season—specifically leading up to Dhanteras, Diwali, and Bhai Dooj.