Several of Delhi’s busiest commercial hubs, including Connaught Place, Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk, wore a deserted look on Friday, as over 900 markets observed a ‘Delhi Bandh’ in protest against the terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on April 22.
Shops across key sectors such as textiles, spices, utensils, and bullion remained shut. The bandh was called by the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), which had earlier held a candle march in Connaught Place to condemn the attack.
According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), more than 8 lakh shops across the Capital participated in the bandh, leading to an estimated trade loss of around Rs 1,500 crore for the day.
“More than 900 wholesale and retail markets in Delhi remained closed, with traders standing united in solidarity against terrorism and in full support of the decisive steps being taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” CAIT said in a statement.
Commercial activity in the city came to a complete standstill as traders in various markets organised tributes, silent marches, and candlelight vigils to pay homage to the victims.
Praveen Khandelwal, Chandni Chowk MP and Secretary General of CAIT, held a solidarity march from Ghantaghar to Red Fort, organised by the Delhi Hindustani Mercantile Association. Many protesters wore black ribbons and carried posters that read ‘Delhi Bandh’.
Sadar Bazar, normally buzzing with shoppers, remained silent, with even vegetable and fruit vendors not turning up. Gandhinagar, home to Asia’s largest wholesale readymade garment market, was also completely shut, according to a statement issued by its market association.
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Connaught Place, one of Delhi’s most coveted markets, remained closed. So was Mukherjee Nagar, a major hub for coaching centres. The usually vibrant streets of Chandni Chowk, Janpath, and Sarojini Nagar had no teenagers thronging them.
Paramjeet Singh Pamma, Chairperson of the Federation of Sadar Bazar, said, “By shutting our shops today, we are urging the Prime Minister to ensure that justice is delivered to the victims and their families.”
(with PTI inputs)