As mark of protest, diamond market closed for two days

Protesting against Wednesday’s serial blasts and mourning the death of innocent people, traders called for a no business day at the diamond hub in Opera House.

Protesting against Wednesday’s serial blasts and mourning the death of innocent people, traders called for a no business day at the diamond hub in Opera House.

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"The market would also remain closed on Friday," said Naresh Mehta, secretary, Pancharatna Cooperative Housing Society, the biggest diamond hub in Opera House.

The diamond market has a daily business of about Rs300 crore. Hardik Hundia, a diamond market expert said that diamond manufacturing units in Malad, Dahisar, in various parts of Gujarat including Surat, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad and Palanpur also remained closed on Thursday.

He added that the Kolkata diamond market too was closed.

Hardik Hundia, a diamond market expert said that diamond manufacturing units in Malad, Dahisar and various parts of Gujarat as well, including Surat, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad and Palanpur also remained closed on Thursday.

Though Opera House has seen the highest number of casualties so far, the toll could’ve been even higher, had it not been for the fact that many traders, brokers and others working in the diamond market had left early on Wednesday. This is because the choumasi chouda – an auspicious event for the Jain community – fell on Thursday.

“The choumasi choudas marks the start of the fourth month religious festival for the Jain community, during which they do not have food after sun set," said Hundia.

The practice of eating before sun set starts from a day prior to festival, which, this year was Wednesday.

"For this reason many people were saved," said Hundia, adding that some had gone to a hall at Opera House (called chouviyara house) where dinner was organised by the Jain community.