“Business at standstill”: Khan Market traders seek SC intervention
Khan Market traders report business at a standstill due to ongoing protests over electoral roll revisions and seek Supreme Court intervention.
Traders at Delhi's iconic Khan Market have expressed deep distress as ongoing protests regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have brought commercial activity to a near halt. The business community is now urgently appealing to the Supreme Court to relocate protest sites to the Delhi borders to protect their livelihoods.
Livelihoods at risk amidst police barricades
The Khan Market Traders Association has highlighted that heavy police barricading, intended to contain demonstrators, has effectively severed access to the premium shopping hub. Sanjeev Mehra, President of the Khan Market Traders Association, noted that the security perimeter begins nearly one kilometre away from the market, making it nearly impossible for customers to reach the shops.
“The market is open, but there are no customers and the business is completely at a standstill. We are only able to do about 10% to 20% of our business,” Mehra stated, emphasizing the severe financial impact on local merchants.
Festive season dampened by fear
Despite the onset of the festive season, which typically brings a surge in consumer spending, the market remains deserted. Traders report that potential shoppers are staying away due to fears regarding the stability of the area and the possibility of protesters turning violent. Mehra clarified that while the traders respect the right to protest, that right should not infringe upon their fundamental right to earn a living.
Controversy over electoral roll claims
The protests stem from allegations made by the INDIA bloc regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. While opposition leaders claim that approximately 13 crore votes have been deleted, Mehra has dismissed these assertions as false narratives designed to prolong demonstrations.
“It is a lie, which is hurting our business,” Mehra said, adding that the government provides ample opportunities for citizens to rectify mismatches in their voter registration.
Demands for Supreme Court intervention
The traders' association is calling for judicial intervention to manage the location of political demonstrations. Their primary requests include:
- Moving protest sites away from central New Delhi and Jantar Mantar.
- Relocating demonstrations to the outskirts or the Delhi borders.
- Ensuring that protests do not disrupt the movement of citizens and commerce.
Brijgopal Khosla, Senior Vice President of the association, echoed these sentiments, pointing to instances of hooliganism and police being targeted during recent demonstrations. He urged that if political groups wish to protest, they must follow a peaceful and structured approach that does not paralyze the capital's economy.
Context of the political standoff
The tension in the national capital escalated following the 'March for Democracy' led by the INDIA bloc. The opposition has filed a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking to suspend the SIR exercise nationwide. The petition also calls for an independent committee, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to review the technical systems governing electoral rolls and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).