Expressing concern over business activities being repeatedly affected by protests and demonstrations in Delhi, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) wrote a letter on Thursday to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. This includes the rally held by the ‘INDI’ alliance on November 1.
CAIT national president B.C. Bhartia noted in the letter that over the past month, especially during the festive season, the Delhi business community has suffered heavy losses due to road blockades and protests.
As a result, thousands of traders, shop owners, street vendors, transport sector workers, daily wage laborers, and their family members have been affected. It also states that customers arriving from various parts of the country and those coming for business purposes have been put to great hardship.
The letter further states: November 1, 2026, business communities not only here but across the country, including the rally you held in Delhi, have been deeply distressed and dissatisfied as business activities are repeatedly being affected by political rallies, protests, and demonstrations. It is worrying that you, the Congress party, and its alliance partners have been continuously supporting the protests held by various groups over the past month.
We respect the freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the right to protest peacefully granted to every citizen by the Constitution. At the same time, the right to protest cannot become an unrestricted right to paralyze business activities, obstruct the movement of the public, or deprive people of their right to livelihood.
Section 19(1)(g) of the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to pursue any occupation and engage in trade or business.
Is the right to protest greater than the right to do business and earn a livelihood? Who will compensate the losses suffered by traders and small businesses due to continuous protests?
Furthermore, the Congress party and its alliance partners must take responsibility for the economic distress faced by traders. If the political parties’ own businesses or livelihoods were affected by such disruptions, would they support such protests?
We urge that protests be held only in designated places, in a manner that does not disrupt business areas, public movement, or livelihoods.
Democracy must protect the voices of those who are fighting, and at the same time safeguard the livelihoods of traders. Political parties have the democratic right to oppose the government and hold rallies. At the same time, the letter states that political parties should act responsibly and sensitively toward ordinary citizens.