In a significant display of community power, more than five hundred traders and local residents in Jaipur successfully compelled authorities to agree to relocate a controversial liquor shop. The protest, which saw massive participation, led to a crucial meeting and a concrete assurance from the excise department.
Massive Rally Forces Authorities to Listen
The agitation was spearheaded by the Chandpole Vyapar Mandal, whose members and local citizens organized a substantial protest rally on Tuesday. The demonstrators, numbering over 500 men and women, marched from Chhoti Chaupar to the Hanuman temple, voicing their strong opposition to the liquor outlet operating within their crowded market area.
The primary grievances centered around the shop's inappropriate location. Traders argued that its presence near religious sites and in a densely populated commercial zone was undermining the dignity and safety of the area. The collective sentiment had reached a boiling point, prompting the decisive public action.
Negotiation Leads to Concrete Assurance
Following the impactful rally, excise department officer Mahipal Singh called for an urgent meeting in the evening. The session included representatives from the Chandpole Vyapar Mandal and the liquor contractor, Uday Singh.
The negotiations proved fruitful. It was mutually agreed during the meeting that the contentious liquor shop would be shifted to another location within a week. This direct assurance from the authorities became the turning point in the standoff.
Market Shutdown Averted, For Now
With this written commitment in hand, the traders' body decided to suspend its earlier call for a complete market shutdown scheduled for December 31. Subhash Goyal, the president of Chandpole Vyapar Mandal, confirmed the development, stating that the decision to close the market was withdrawn post-meeting.
However, Goyal issued a clear warning, indicating that the protest was only on pause. "If the liquor shop is not shifted within 7 days, we will shut the market again," he asserted. This statement places the onus squarely on the excise department and the contractor to honor the timeline agreed upon.
The resolution of this issue highlights the effectiveness of organized community action in urban governance. The traders' firm stance, backed by widespread local support, forced a swift administrative response, preventing further escalation and potential business disruption in the historic Chandpole market.
