Ramlila Maidan became one of Delhi’s new designated protest venues just days ago. Now, traders want a planned Congress rally there shifted, saying another round of traffic restrictions could hurt businesses ahead of Diwali.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh said the party approached police after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi confirmed availability of the ground. Another group, Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, has written to the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi Police Commissioner and MCD Commissioner seeking cancellation or relocation of an INDIA bloc programme proposed at Ramlila Maidan. Congress would now take the police certificate to the civic body for the booking process.
The letter refers to a proposed programme from October 29 to November 3. Delhi Police, however, said that it had issued Congress a no-objection certificate for a rally on November 1. On October 11, Delhi Police named Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as designated demonstration venues, removing Jantar Mantar from the list.
Its objection, the letter said, is to the venue and timing, not the right to peaceful protest. “They have a right to protest, we have a right to livelihood,” it said.
Just a day earlier, the New Delhi Traders’ Association had asked demonstrators to avoid Connaught Place and use designated protest sites instead.
