Merchants in the Central Market of Shastri Nagar, Meerut, recently displayed flags of the Samajwadi Party (SP) on their shops in a stand against the Supreme Court's demolition orders affecting their businesses. This act of defiance arose due to the imminent threat of demolition looming over their market due to commercial construction on residential plots. The traders expressed frustration over the lack of support from local representatives of the ruling BJP during this crisis, prompting their decision to protest in this manner.

As their protest gained traction and videos circulated online, local BJP workers responded by arriving at the scene to remove the flags, leading to a brief confrontation. During this encounter, police detained about four merchants but later released them amidst protests from SP activists. The situation highlights the tensions between the merchant community and the ruling party amid governance challenges, illustrating the precarious position of small businesses facing legal and administrative hurdles.

Merchants are increasingly alarmed by the implications of the Supreme Court's orders, with reports indicating that a similar complex had already been demolished. The traders voiced their concerns regarding the perceived indifference of their local representatives in addressing their plight, which has only intensified their grievances and pushed them toward expressing their dissent through political symbolism. This incident sheds light on the rising frustrations among local business owners and the role of political affiliations in community crises.