A protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar disrupted an estimated ₹2,000 crore worth of trade in the capital on 10 October, according to the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), which has asked the organising group and other political parties to avoid demonstrations in the city until Diwali.
CTI said the disruption came as Delhi entered its peak festive trading period, when markets typically see heightened commercial activity linked to Navratri, Ramleela events and Diwali purchases. The organisation said the protest affected traders across the capital and warned that a prolonged demonstration could deepen the economic impact.
In a letter addressed to the CJP, identified in the report as the Cockroach Janata Party, as well as other political parties, CTI requested that no dharnas or protests be held in Delhi until Diwali. The organisation said the festive season was especially important for the city’s estimated 20 lakh traders.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the 10 October demonstration alone resulted in approximately ₹2,000 crore of trade being affected in Delhi. The estimate was presented by the traders’ body as the value of business disrupted by the protest, rather than as a government or independent assessment.
The reported impact highlights the direct connection between public demonstrations and the functioning of Delhi’s commercial areas. Protests can affect movement around demonstration sites, access to markets and the ability of traders and customers to conduct business, particularly during periods of concentrated seasonal demand. The supplied report does not provide a market-wise breakdown of the estimate or details of the specific routes and commercial districts affected.
CTI said that Navratri and Ramleela activities were beginning and that the Diwali season had already started. It argued that continued demonstrations during this period could severely affect Delhi’s trade and economy and leave large numbers of traders facing losses.
The traders’ organisation’s request places the issue before both the protest organisers and political parties. No response from the CJP or other parties is included in the supplied report. The report also does not specify whether the demonstration would continue beyond 10 October or whether the authorities had announced any changes to arrangements at Jantar Mantar.
