Congress and other opposition parties have been staging continuous protests in Delhi against the election and special intensive revision irregularities, and demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has written a letter to Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that these protests are affecting their business.
The letter states...
"We would like to make it very clear that we fully respect every citizen’s constitutional right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the right to hold peaceful protests.

We have suffered a huge loss
While asserting the right to protest, you and the other political parties supporting these demonstrations seem to have conveniently forgotten Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to pursue any occupation, trade, or business.
Over the past month, especially during the crucial festive season, repeated protests, marches, demonstrations, and road blockades have caused significant losses to Delhi’s business community.
Mr. Rahul Gandhi, we would like you to answer the following questions:
1. Is the right to stage a protest so important that it outweighs the right to trade and earn a livelihood? Why should traders and working families pay the price for political disagreements that have no connection to them?
2. Do you consider it just, both politically and morally, to paralyze the commercial life of the country’s capital? Who will compensate the traders and small businesses that have suffered heavy losses because of these repeated protests?
Taking a strong stand against the repeated disruption of Delhi’s commercial activities, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has written to Shri @RahulGandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, seeking accountability from him and the Congress Party for supporting demonstrations that have adversely affected traders, particularly during the festive and wedding shopping season. CAIT National President Shri @BCBHARTIA ji has put forward five direct questions, challenging the selective interpretation of constitutional rights. He has asserted that while the Right to Protest is fundamental to democracy, it cannot override the Right to Trade and Earn a Livelihood. Awaiting Shri Rahul Gandhi’s response, CAIT has announced a national-level meeting of Delhi traders and prominent trade leaders from across India after Diwali to determine the future course of action. A nationwide ‘Dhikkar Diwas’ (Day of Condemnation) will also be observed, with the date to be announced following the meeting. CAIT stands firmly with India's trading community. Delhi is not merely a venue for political demonstrations; it is a major economic hub sustaining millions of livelihoods. Political opposition is a democratic right, but disrupting businesses and jeopardising people's earnings cannot be justified in its name.
— Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) (@CAITIndia) November 5, 2026
3. How can your appeal to the participants in the march to go to local markets and buy goods, and your march that blocks customers from being able to come to those same markets, be seen together with your support for the protests? Isn’t this contradictory to your own position?
4. Will you and the Congress party take responsibility for the economic crisis caused by the protests supported by your party and its political allies? Or is the livelihood of ordinary citizens merely a sacrifice on the political battlefield?
5. Would you support such a prolonged shutdown if it affected your own business, livelihood, or daily income? Why is a small trader expected to quietly endure something that others would not accept if it happened to them?
We request you and the leadership of other political parties to ensure that protests are held only in designated places, without affecting commercial areas, public movement, or the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
Democracy must protect both the voice of the protester and the livelihood of the trader at the same time.
We look forward to your response, and more importantly, your responsible action," it said.
