Businesses suffer when govt shuts down city: Dipke as traders' body complains

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday sought to allay traders' concerns over the outfit's proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march at Central Park in Delhi's Connaught Place, saying businesses suffer when the government shuts down an entire city rather than because of "peaceful protests".His remarks came as the New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) urged political parties and agitators to hold demonstrations away from Connaught Place, saying that protests over the past three weeks had hit sales and disrupted livelihoods. The traders' body has also approached the Supreme Court over the proposed march at 5 pm today, seeking relief amid concerns over the impact of demonstrations and restrictions on businesses in the area.“Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests. They suffer when the govt decides to shut down an entire city, suspend internet services and restrict the movement of its own citizens and turn the city into a war-zone,” Dipke tweeted.The CJP called the march amid its campaign seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. The agitation intensified after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to judicial custody following their detention for entering Jantar Mantar on October 13. The Union Home Ministry had withdrawn Jantar Mantar's status as a designated protest site shortly before the latest confrontation, prompting the CJP to challenge the move by waving the national flag at Central Park.Dipke maintained that the CJP was committed to Mahatma Gandhi's principles of peace and non-violence, arguing that demanding accountability from the government and protesting against injustice were fundamental democratic rights. He cited demonstrations organised by the CJP in Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Nagpur, claiming they had all been "peaceful". Dipke also alleged that he was assaulted in Jaipur but chose not to retaliate, saying physical force was contrary to the outfit's principles.“Demanding answers from the govt is not anarchy, protesting against injustice on the streets is not anarchy, and questioning those who hold public office is certainly not anarchy,” he said.He accused those in power of hypocrisy for treating protests as a democratic right while in opposition and as a threat to public order after coming to power.The CJP founder further accused the government of using restrictions and police action to silence dissent, saying democracy did not end with the counting of votes. “A government that has been elected by the people is bound to listen to the people, not silence them,” he said.TRADERS FLAG LOSSES, DISRUPTION TO LIVELIHOODSIn its appeal on Thursday, the NDTA said protests by the CJP and the INDIA bloc over the past three weeks had affected shopkeepers, waiters, drivers, vendors and other workers dependent on business in Connaught Place. It said road closures and traffic disruptions had made commuting difficult and kept tourists and families away from the area.The traders' body urged political parties and other groups to choose alternative venues for their protests rather than disrupting commercial activity in the heart of the national capital.HEAVY SECURITY AHEAD OF MARCHCJP's proposed march has prompted extensive security arrangements across central Delhi. More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and an expanded CCTV network have been deployed in the New Delhi area, according to PTI.The arrangements cover Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations. Barricades have been placed at several points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg.The New Delhi Municipal Council has ordered Central Park's closure on October 16 and 17, citing “administrative reasons”. Police have said Connaught Place is not a designated protest site and imposed prohibitory orders against gatherings, while indicating that a small group could be facilitated to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable location.Earlier, Dipke said he feared police might detain him ahead of the march, alleging that officers were keeping watch at his residence. He also said he was prepared to go to jail for waving the national flag.- Ends(with inputs from PTI)