Latest news with #AshokKalra
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fact-check: Sarojini Nagar Market is fully operational! Viral shutdown claims busted; shopkeepers say 'We're not going anywhere'
Sarojini Nagar Market is more than just a market; it's an emotion for Delhiites. In a recent incident, Delhi's iconic Sarojini Nagar market, which has been a shopping enthusiasts across all age groups, witnessed a demolition drive over the weekend; however, a viral reel on Insta claims that there is no way the market is being demolished. This viral reel is now doing rounds on social media, with a caption saying, 'No way Sarojini Market is being demolished. Where will I buy my college wardrobe at such great prices now?' As soon as the viral video surfaced on social media, users started questioning its authenticity, and another user wrote, 'Sarojini is the soul of Delhi's shopping world. I hope we aren't losing it in all this ruckus.' But what's the fact? Has Sarojini Market not been demolished? Various social media posts have left people anxious, especially the regular shoppers and fans of this market, but what's the reality? Let's put all the worry to rest because whatever is being projected in these areas is not completely true, reports HT. According to the report, even though the true story about the whole incident is that it was a sudden demolition drive that took place on Saturday midnight by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the market is still very much functional and is not going to be moved anywhere. Even the president of the Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association, Ashok Kalra, said, "The market is open and welcoming shoppers as always. Please don't believe in the baseless rumours. This market has been the pride of Delhi for years, and we're not going anywhere." Unfortunately, the viral videos have caused them negative publicity, and the footfall in the market has decreased sharply. This is for the information of general public that #sarojinimarket is fully open and operational and will continue to be open in normal timings . An encroachment removal drive was conducted jointly by @tweetndmc & @DelhiPolice on the directions of #delhigovernment at the night… Netizens react to the viral video of the market demolition The viral videos of bulldozers tearing up sections of the market, while another shopkeeper claimed that it is the end of an era. Amid the low footfall of Sarojini Nagar, the Market Shopkeepers Association issued a clarification and posted on X that the market is completely operational and is not being shut down. Well, some netizens reacted to the videos, and one said, "Delhi creator industry finish." While another wrote, "Destroying livelihood of so many people. Kitne logo ka ghar chalta hai waha se." "no only illegal encroachment ko toda hai shops nahi. Jo illegal tha sirf wo he hataya hai taki customers ko he asani ho aane jane me" "Obviously how else will you be forced to shop from reliance mart... Garib ke met par laat maaro... Ameer ko aur ameer karo..," one added.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fact check: Delhi's Sarojini Market is open! Not being demolished as per viral Insta reel that has left shoppers anxious
Delhi's iconic Sarojini Nagar market has been a shopping haven for bargain hunters of all age groups. It often trends on social media for varying reasons, but ever since it witnessed a demolition drive over the weekend, some viral reels on Insta are claiming that the market has been demolished. A social media user commented on one such Reel: 'No way Sarojini Market is being demolished. Where will I shop for my college wardrobe at such great prices now?' Another has written: 'Sarojini is the soul of Delhi's shopping world. I hope we aren't losing it in all this ruckus.' But, this worry must be put to rest because what's being projected in these reels is not completely true! The social media posts have caused a wave of anxiety among the regular shoppers and fans of this market, but the true story is that though there was a sudden demolition drive – reportedly conducted on Saturday midnight by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) – the market is very much open, functional and not going to be moved anywhere! 'The market is open and welcoming shoppers as always. Please don't believe in the baseless rumours. This market has been the pride of Delhi for years and we're not going anywhere,' says Ashok Kalra, president, Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association, adding, 'Unfortunately, the viral videos have caused us negative publicity and the footfall in the market has dropped.' A post shared by Delhi Wonders (@ Having seen the viral videos of bulldozers tearing through sections of the market, another shopkeeper quashes claims of the end of an era for one of the city's most beloved shopping destinations. 'What actually happened is that like any other day, we brought down the shutters of our shops on Saturday night and went home. Just a couple of hours later, humein bahut sare calls aane shuru ho gaye ki market mein kareeb 100 NDMC officials bulldozers leke aa gaye hain aur shops tod rahe hain,' recalls Ashok Randhawa, president, Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Traders Association, adding, 'It's true that before all this happened, we were the ones who had been urging the authorities to deal with illegal hawkers; who have encroached quite a lot of space in the market that becomes inconvenient for shoppers. But, instead of checking about the nuisance that these create, the authorities targeted the licensed shops during the Saturday's demolition drive. Phir bhi humein itna nuksan unke dukane todne se nahi hua jitna ab customers ke naa aane se ho raha hai.' Amid the shopkeepers' woes of low footfall, the Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association issued a clarification and posted on X stating that the market is fully operational and not being shut down. Meanwhile, when HT City reached out to New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), an official said: 'If established shops are extended beyond the allocated area and into pedestrian space then that is also encroachment. Our intention is only to enmake that the shoppers' access to the market is smooth.'
