Bengaluru, 13 Sept

Trade activist and former Karnataka hosiery and garment association president Sajjan Raj Mehta wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and urged the Centre to designate sites for political rallies, public gatherings, and processions in places where commerce and trade activities are not disrupted.

He noted that in places like Freedom Park, demonstrations and political rallies tend to block roads and disrupt traffic, meaning that customers cannot reach shops in crowded market places, where millions of traders, workers and transporters make their livelihoods. This causes them financial losses and particularly impacts small traders, he stated.

He urged the Centre to designate suitable large grounds on the outskirts of cities to prevent such disruptions during political rallies, public meetings, and large gatherings and avoid granting permission for political rallies near commercial areas.

He called for a “uniform national guideline” to ensure that “that trade, public movement, emergency services, and the livelihoods of small businesses are not unnecessarily disrupted” during rallies, and said that advanced planning and public notices, alongside proper traffic arrangements should become the norm.

“Democratic, political agitations are essential to our nation. However, these activities should be organised in a manner that respects the right of traders to carry on their business and the public’s right to move freely,” Mehta stated.