Protest in Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk Shopkeepers Protest in Delhi’s busy market area to express growing frustration. They held a silent march recently, with over 30 shopkeepers walking from Fountain Chowk to the Red Fort. Their protest highlights anger over the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) not taking action on issues like poor cleanliness and illegal hawkers.
Court Orders Ignored Since 1990
Since 1990, court orders have been issued repeatedly about removing encroachments. The Delhi High Court has made around 40 to 50 such orders. This shows a long-standing problem regarding local governance.
Last November, the Delhi High Court told the MCD and the police to remove illegal hawkers within two weeks. But shopkeepers say nothing has changed. Sanjay Bhargava, the president of the Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, says they still face the same problems. He shared, “We have got court orders since 1990, directing the removal of encroachments…But nothing has happened…. We have had 40-50 court orders on this issue, our organisation has till now spent crores on lawyers to tackle it.”
Sanitation Issues
Poor sanitation is another major problem. Bhargava pointed out that public urination is common in the market. This makes the market less pleasant for both shopkeepers and customers.
Violations in the Market
Chandni Chowk is famous for its crowded markets. Despite a ban on motorized vehicles from 9 am to 9 pm, many vehicles can be seen in the area. This shows a lack of enforcement of rules. This congestion makes it hard for customers and local businesses.
Shopkeepers Share Their Concerns
Many shopkeepers have been fighting for their rights for years. Ashok Kumar Jaiswal has sold fruits here for over 20 years. He was surprised when he heard about the protest. When he learned it was against illegal hawkers, he felt scared and confused. “Whenever some official comes, we run packing our things, so that they don’t take it away, we have to fill our stomachs,” he said.
The Political Response
The protest received attention from the Delhi BJP, a political party. Praveen Shankar Kapoor, a spokesperson for the BJP, said shopkeepers are patriots. He mentioned that they would not hold any protests during Independence Week from August 9 to 15. Kapoor claimed that the BJP’s local MP, Praveen Khandelwal, has improved cleanliness and reduced encroachments in the market. He also said that the negligence of the MCD, PWD, and local police has led to the issues in Chandni Chowk.
Ongoing Struggles and Actions
Despite the BJP’s statements, Bhargava remarked that the shopkeepers are aware of the situation. They will decide how to move forward with the protest. The community is united, and they want their voices heard until real action is taken.
Official Responses
Manish Kumar, the Assistant Commissioner from the MCD, commented on the situation. He said regular drives are conducted to remove hawkers from non-hawking zones. They also try to take away unauthorized rickshaws. However, shopkeepers remain skeptical about these claims as they still see many illegal hawkers and vehicles in the market.
The Future of Chandni Chowk
The problems in Chandni Chowk highlight the need for effective management. Ongoing issues like encroachment and poor sanitation have raised serious concerns among local traders. The Chandni Chowk Shopkeepers Protest reflects a community determined to fight for its rights through continuous demonstrations and legal battles.
As these shopkeepers continue to voice their concerns, many people wonder about the future of Chandni Chowk. Will the MCD and local police take the necessary steps to fix these issues? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the people of Chandni Chowk are committed to standing up for their rights. 🛍️💪
