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Delhi Protests Threaten 4000 Crore Rupees In Business Over Ten Days Warns CAIT
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News18•18-10-2026, 16:10
Delhi Protests Threaten 4000 Crore Rupees In Business Over Ten Days Warns CAIT
- •The Confederation of All India Traders warned that ongoing protests in Delhi could risk over 400 crore rupees in business transactions every day.
- •CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal stated that total business exposure could reach 4000 crore rupees over a ten-day period if disruptions persist.
- •Khandelwal emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, Article 19(1)(g) also protects the right of citizens to carry out trade and business.
- •Small businesses, transport operators, and daily wage workers face the heaviest burden due to traffic congestion, fewer customers, and unrecoverable lost sales.
- •The current protests coincide with the critical October-to-January festive and wedding season, amplifying concerns for the trading community.
Key Questions Answered
Protests in Delhi could put business transactions worth more than ₹400 crore at risk daily, with the total potential impact reaching ₹4,000 crore over a ten-day period if the disruptions continue.
Praveen Khandelwal noted that the Constitution protects freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a), the right to assemble peacefully under Article 19(1)(b), and the right to carry out an occupation or business under Article 19(1)(g).
Small businesses face continuous fixed operating costs like rents, salaries, and utility bills even when sales plummet. Additionally, traffic congestion, restricted market access, and transport delays prevent customers from visiting, causing losses that small traders often cannot recover later.
