Activists, artists demand halt to Bengaluru street vendor evictions
- A group of activists and artists has demanded a halt to the ongoing eviction drive against street vendors in Bengaluru.
- They argue the drive violates Supreme Court guidelines and the Street Vendors Act, 2014.
- The evictions are part of a beautification project ahead of a major international event.
- Vendors claim they were not given adequate notice or alternative vending zones.
A coalition of activists, artists, and civil society members has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing eviction of street vendors in Bengaluru. The group argues that the drive, carried out by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), violates existing legal protections for informal workers.
Legal challenge to the eviction drive
The activists point to the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and a 2023 Supreme Court order. Both mandate that vendors cannot be evicted without prior notice and a proper rehabilitation plan. The petitioners claim the BBMP has not followed these procedures.
They have submitted a memorandum to the state government and the BBMP commissioner. The document demands a stop to all evictions until a town vending committee is formed and a vending plan is approved.
Impact on livelihoods
Street vendors in areas like MG Road, Brigade Road, and Koramangala have been particularly affected. Many of them have been operating at their current spots for years. The sudden evictions have left them without a source of income.
“We have no other skills. This is how we feed our families,” said a vendor who did not wish to be named. The group of activists has highlighted that the drive disproportionately affects women and migrant workers.
Beautification versus rehabilitation
The BBMP has stated that the evictions are part of a city beautification drive ahead of a major international conference scheduled for later this year. Officials have defended the action, saying that unauthorised vending causes congestion and hygiene issues.
However, the activists argue that beautification cannot come at the cost of livelihoods. They have proposed that the authorities designate specific vending zones and provide basic amenities like water and electricity to vendors.
Artists and cultural figures have joined the protest, holding a small demonstration near Town Hall. They displayed banners and performed street plays to draw attention to the issue.
What happens next
The BBMP has not yet officially responded to the memorandum. The matter is likely to be taken up in the Karnataka High Court in the coming days. The activists have warned of larger protests if the evictions continue without a proper rehabilitation plan.