The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for a uniform national protest policy after trader representatives from 25 states passed a proposal seeking designated demonstration sites, prior administrative permission and safeguards for markets and public roads.
The proposal was adopted at CAIT’s national meeting in New Delhi, where traders argued that peaceful protest and freedom of expression must be balanced with the rights of residents, businesses and workers to move through and use the city. CAIT said demonstrations should not halt commercial activity, block public routes or disrupt access to essential services.
CAIT national secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said the organisation supports the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression, but maintained that demonstrations should be held at locations that do not affect markets, residential areas or critical public facilities. He referred to Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, saying the rights to expression, peaceful assembly, livelihood and life must be balanced.
The traders’ body cited the Supreme Court judgments in Amit Sahni versus Commissioner of Police, decided in 2020, and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan versus Union of India, decided in 2018. According to CAIT, the judgments recognise the right to peaceful protest while not permitting indefinite occupation of roads or other essential public spaces.
CAIT said prolonged demonstrations and road blockages in commercial areas can affect traders, micro, small and medium enterprises, daily-wage workers, transport operators and service-sector employees. It also said customers may face difficulty reaching markets and that the movement of goods can be disrupted when access routes or market entrances are blocked.
The proposal seeks permanent protest grounds on the outskirts of major cities and district headquarters. It also calls for wholesale and retail markets, industrial areas and market entry points to be kept free from demonstrations that could obstruct operations. CAIT has proposed that organisers obtain permission in advance and that authorities prescribe fixed locations and time limits for demonstrations.
The traders’ body further asked authorities to ensure uninterrupted access to hospitals, schools and emergency services. It called for accountability of organisations that organise demonstrations and sought legal action, along with recovery of compensation, where violence or damage to public or private property occurs.
CAIT national president B C Bhartia said the organisation would present the issue to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, state chief ministers, police commissioners and relevant administrative officials. He said CAIT would consider judicial and constitutional remedies if required. The proposal is a demand by the traders’ organisation; the report does not indicate that the Centre or any state government has accepted or implemented a uniform national policy.
