CAIT calls meeting on Nov 13, says will discuss demand to shift protests to city outskirts
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), a traders’ body led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Praveen Khandelwal, on Monday shared it will hold a meeting on November 13 to discuss a proposal to demand designated protest sites on the outskirts of major cities, arguing that prolonged political agitations in commercial hubs disrupt local businesses and hurt the national economy.
Adding to this, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters scuffle with security personnel during a protest demanding India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged voter roll irregularities linked to the "special intensive revision" (AFP FILE) Once they make a decision, the statement shared, the traders’ body planned to approach the government and could even approach court to push for designated protest venues on the outskirts of the city.
Meanwhile, In October, thousands of people hit the streets, braving Metro closures, internet shutdown, prohibitory orders and 40,000 security personnel who turned the Capital into a virtual fortress and sparked row by dragging, manhandling and detaining many agitators. The Centre subsequently ended Jantar Mantar’s three-decade-old status as Delhi’s designated protest site, with the Delhi Police issuing an order on October 11, 2026, to denotify the venue and shift demonstrations to three alternative locations. Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi, Burari Ground in north-west Delhi and CBD Ground in east Delhi have been designated as the alternative protest venues.
Notably, The demand comes against the backdrop of a massive protest in the heart of New Delhi on November 1, the largest show of strength by the INDIA bloc, that attacked the ruling BJP and demanded Kumar’s removal over allegations of irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission of India and the special intensive revision, which has already removed 130 million names from India’s electoral rolls, many of them under absent, shifted or dead categories.
As per the latest buzz, CAIT claimed that the agitations led to “widespread disruption to business activities” in the national capital. “Suitable locations should be designated on the outskirts of every city, or at other appropriate places, for protests and demonstrations,” Khandelwal, the Chandni Chowk MP, shared in a note.
In further updates, “The arrangement should be implemented across the country and not remain limited to Delhi. The proposed sites would enable peaceful demonstrations while protecting markets, commercial centres, transport routes and essential business activities.”
On top of that, Khandelwal claimed disruptions caused by protests affected not just shopkeepers and sales but also supply chains, the movement of goods, employees’ livelihoods and the cash flow of small businesses. The meeting would also discuss other issues including GST reforms, protection against cyber fraud and simplification of regulations.
CAIT national president BC Bhartia shared discussions would focus on simplifying GST returns and compliance requirements, resolving technical difficulties and reducing unnecessary notices and litigation, particularly for small traders.
Source: Hindustan Times