As the November 1 deadline for the resumption of sealing is fast approaching, Delhi traders on Sunday decided to intensify their struggle against the court-ordered drive by organising a dharna in New Delhi on Monday by senior citizens of shopkeepers' families.
The traders, who met President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Saturday seeking support, have decided to observe a 'Traders-Employees Awareness Week'.
The protest will be held at Jantar Mantar on Monday and female members of traders' families will participate in this, Confederation of All India Traders Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said on Sunday.
As per the programme, the traders' bodies will meet their MPs and MLAs tomorrow and Tuesday. On October 26, the traders along with elected representatives will meet Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy.
Another dharna is also scheduled on October 26 when students of computer training centres will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar. The traders of the walled city will make a human chain from Red Fort to Lahori Gate on the same day.
In their 10-minute interaction with Kalam on Saturday, a five-member delegation led by Khandelwal apprised him about the "humanitarian angle" of the situation where they are asked to close shops without being provided alternate space.
{{/usCountry}}In their 10-minute interaction with Kalam on Saturday, a five-member delegation led by Khandelwal apprised him about the "humanitarian angle" of the situation where they are asked to close shops without being provided alternate space.
{{/usCountry}}"We have urged the President to intervene in the matter since it has a vital bearing on about 70 lakh people of Delhi," Khandelwal said adding Vajpayee has assured them that he would take up the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He said Dikshit had told them that she had taken up the matter with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in the last two days.