India, Oct. 26 -- Traders' associations have expressed strong concerns about the INDIA bloc's anti-SIR stir scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan, noting its proximity to central Delhi markets and that the protest falls on the last Sunday before Diwali, when shopkeepers anticipate a sales boom.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Sunday launched an online petition citing the adverse impact of frequent rallies and protests in central Delhi on commercial activities and traders' livelihoods. CAIT has urged the government to strike a balance between democratic rights and uninterrupted business operations.

It also convened an online meeting of Delhi's trade leaders on Monday, in which representatives of trade associations f...