Sarojini Nagar market, the one-stop market for fashionistas hunting for latest trends and the “non-too brand conscious” shoppers, came to a halt on Thursday evening when the market association called for a bandh to protest against the NDMC. While the reason is clear that the shopkeepers don’t want any more space allotted to hawkers, the indefinite strike has upset many shoppers.
“I was shopping at the market the other day when these shoppers suddenly started shutting down their shops. It’s the ultimate shopping hub for most of us, especially girls, and I don’t know when they will settle the dispute. A man there told us that the strike is indefinite and they won’t open shops until NDMC caters to their demands,” says Monica Nathani, who works with an MNC.
Vidhi Arora, another regular at the Sarojini Nagar Market, feels that a place, which has been one of the best markets to shop from last many years, needs to check the way it functions. “Probably what the shopkeepers don’t understand is that the hawkers are the ones doing most business there and the market thrives on their products. I feel it’s important for the hawkers to get more space. Let’s hope they are there while the shopkeepers claim their stake,” says Vidhi.
Some further feel that the decision to decrease the number of hawkers is the need of the hour. “The market is too congested already. Allowing more hawkers will make it messy. It’s a place where all kinds of people go to shop. So you need the shops as much as you need the hawkers, but there’s no place to walk and the security issues are to be addressed. Especially on weekends,” says Archana Chawla, a housewife.