Traders’ Bodies Urge Rahul Gandhi to Reconsider SIR Protests, Cite Festive Season Business Losses

The appeal comes amid demonstrations by Opposition parties over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

With Navratri underway and Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja approaching, traders have said disruptions to transportation, market access and commercial operations could affect sales during one of the year's busiest periods.

Several business organisations and trade representatives have raised the issue, including the National Traders Welfare Board, New Delhi Traders’ Association, Federation of Trade and Industry of India, Bhartiya Udhyog Vyapar Mandal, Indian Recovered Paper Traders Association, Jaipur Vyapar Mahasangh, The Grain, Rice & Oilseeds Merchants’ Association and Uttar Pradesh Udhyog Vyapar Mandal. Representatives of other regional trade bodies have also voiced concerns.

National Traders Welfare Board member Sirajudheen Ellathodi appealed to Gandhi through a video message, highlighting the importance of festive-season sales for traders and requesting that the demonstrations be reconsidered.

Another board member, Ajay Gupta, said the disruptions were affecting businesses that often borrow money to increase inventory and prepare for the festive rush. He called on political leaders to consider the financial difficulties faced by traders and urged authorities to address demonstrations that disrupt public life.

In a letter to Gandhi, Ghanshyam Das Goyal, a member of the Dal and Besan Millers Association of Delhi, emphasised that the festive period was critical for traders, small and medium enterprises, manufacturers and wholesalers.

Goyal warned that prolonged disruptions to markets, transportation and supply chains could affect business revenues, employment and the livelihoods of families dependent on commercial activity.

While acknowledging that the right to protest is an important part of democracy, he argued that political demonstrations should also consider their potential impact on ordinary citizens and economic activity.

He urged Gandhi to consider withdrawing the protests or pursuing an alternative that would allow markets and commercial establishments to operate without interruption.

Goyal also raised the issue on social media platform X, questioning whether traders’ livelihoods should be affected by political demonstrations over the SIR controversy. He called for accountability from the Opposition leadership over the reported business disruptions.

Prakash Pirgal, a member of the Bangalore Ulsoor Clock Merchant Association, also appealed to Gandhi to resolve the issue through dialogue. He said road closures and blockades were creating difficulties for businesses ahead of the festive and wedding seasons.

Pirgal stressed that traders had been preparing for the period in anticipation of increased customer activity and said restrictions could affect their earnings.

The traders’ representations highlight concerns within sections of the business community over the economic impact of prolonged demonstrations during the festive season. The associations have called for a resolution that allows political opposition to continue without significantly disrupting commercial activity and public movement.

The protests, meanwhile, centre on Opposition allegations about the electoral roll revision exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. The traders’ appeals add an economic dimension to the ongoing political dispute, with business representatives urging both political leaders and authorities to consider the implications for livelihoods and market operations.