Brand Bengaluru's inclusive facade cracks as street vendors face evictions

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: In recent months, Bengaluru has witnessed a concerning surge in the eviction of street vendors, raising questions about the inclusivity of Brand Bengaluru.

Despite the enactment of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act in 2014, BBMP officials, lacking awareness of vendor laws, continue to violate them.

The eviction trend observed in Mahadevapura in July and subsequent areas like Malleshwaram and Jayanagar highlights a disregard for the rights of street vendors.

Amid the economic fallout of the COVID lockdown, street vending has been a lifeline for many, making their eviction even more distressing.

Advocate Vinay Sreenivasa warned the government that the footpath vendors will protest if there is no repose from the BBMP said, “There is space for fancy car parking and shopping malls, but no space for them?” he also added that the BBMP is not even aware of their own policies and they still have not returned the possessions of the vendors that was seized away illegally.

Babu S, a Street Vendor (Vijayanagar) and President of the Bengaluru Jilla Beedhi Vyapari Sanghatanegala Okkuta expressed concerns about the rapid development of Brand Bengaluru, questioning the associated costs.

Having been an integral part of the city for decades, legal street vendors are perplexed by the unjust eviction proceedings. Vinay Sreenivasa acknowledges the occasional inconvenience caused by footpath vendors but emphasises that the majority operate with proper licenses and legal authorization for their stalls.

Syed Zameer, a Street Vendor from Shivajinagar, voices the collective sentiment, stating, "In the guise of a smart city, Brand Bengaluru, or a metropolitan city, our livelihoods are being jeopardised. Our possessions are being unlawfully confiscated, and our pleas fall on deaf ears."

Despite Advocate Vinay Sreenivasa's efforts, including filing an RTI and attempting to engage with BBMP's commissioner, there has been no response from the authorities, leaving street vendors in a state of uncertainty and distress.

Street vendors, far from being trespassers, have faced unwarranted eviction without proper legal procedures. While some received recognition during reviews, the certificate of street vending was denied, raising concerns about the BBMP's awareness of the law.

The need for immediate corrective action is evident to protect the livelihoods and rights of street vendors, underscoring the importance of adherence to the law and the principles of democracy.