Bengaluru street vendors to stage protest over dedicated zone proposal

Bengaluru: Thousands of street vendors across the city are set to hold a protest at Freedom Park on Tuesday to voice their concerns over threats to their livelihoods and alleged harassment by authorities. 

The protest, organised by the Karnataka Pragathipara Beedi Vyaparigala Sangha, will draw traders from key markets including KR Market, Jayanagar, Vijayanagar, Shivajinagar, Yeshwanthpur and Gandhi Bazaar. 

The protest has been triggered by recent statements from Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who indicated that street vending would be restricted to designated zones or mobile peddling, and would require identity cards. Vendors argue this directive contravenes the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihoods and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and has intensified the seizure of goods and daily harassment by civic officials. 

Organisers highlighted that despite a survey identifying 34,000 vendors, thousands more remain excluded from official recognition, leaving them without legal protection, especially when compared to the 70,000 who have received PM-SVANidhi loans. 

Many identified vendors are yet to receive their ID cards or business certificates. Vendors also lament the severe lack of basic amenities like toilets, water and electricity in market areas, coupled with a complete absence of social security. Recent thefts of goods have further exacerbated their plight. 

The Sangha stated that the protest aims to secure dignity, the right to trade, essential market facilities and comprehensive social security for
the city’s street vending community.