India, May 22 -- The iconic Sarojini Nagar market in south Delhi has been a shopping haven for bargain hunters of all ages. However, a surprise anti-encroachment drive by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Saturday midnight has left shoppers worried about its future. After the weekend, videos of bulldozers tearing through sections of the market went viral, claiming that it has been demolished. On one such Reel, a social media user commented, "Where will I shop for my college wardrobe at such great prices now?" while another wrote, "Sarojini is the soul of Delhi's shopping world. I hope we aren't losing it." But, Delhiites, rest easy. These Reels aren't entirely true! Following the drive, the Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association issued a clarification on X, stating that the market is not being shut down. Ashok Kalra, president of the association tells us, "The market is welcoming shoppers as always. Please don't believe in baseless rumours. Unfortunately, the videos caused us negative publicity and footfall in the market has dropped." Meanwhile, an NDMC official told us, that the anti-encroachment drive was part of "an ongoing initiative aimed at reclaiming public spaces and enhancing urban accessibility." When asked what exactly went wrong, Ashok Randhawa, president of Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Traders Association says, "We brought down the shutters on Saturday night and went home. A couple of hours later, humein bahut sare calls aane shuru ho gaye ki market mein kareeb 100 NDMC officials bulldozers leke shops tod rahe hain." He adds, "We had been urging the authorities to deal with hawkers who encroached a lot of space. Instead, they targeted licensed shops." However, the official tells us, "If established shops are extended beyond the allocated area and into pedestrian space then that is also encroachment. Our intention is to make sure shoppers' access to the market is smooth."...