Traders Warn of Severe Impact on Festive Season Amid Delhi Protests

With Diwali and wedding celebrations fast approaching, Delhi’s retailers are sounding the alarm over recent street protests.

Praveen Khandelwal, secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders, said that the ongoing demonstrations have already caused a ₹4,000 crore loss in a ten‑day span.

He explained that the October to January window is the most critical for sales, accounting for a projected ₹7 lakh crore in national turnover. Unexpected blockades that choke traffic and limit shopper movement jeopardize not only shop owners but also thousands of hawkers and pallet‑carriers who depend on daily sales.

Khandelwal appealed for a balanced approach that respects both democratic expression and the economic lifeline of the city’s market community.