Street vendors stage demonstration in Bhubaneswar opposing eviction without rehabilitation

Tension ran high at the Rajmahal Square in Bhubaneswar after street vendors hit the streets against their eviction. Claiming the eviction has jeopardised their livelihoods, the demonstrators rallied in large numbers, wielding placards and chanting slogans to draw attention to their plight.

The vendors argued that forced evictions without adequate rehabilitation schemes would threaten their means of survival. Many of these hawkers have been operating in the area for decades, providing goods at affordable rates to consumers in the Odisha capital.

The massive rally was taken from Master Canteen Square to Unit-I market and the vendors raised slogans against the government. They shave put up an eight-point charter of demands before the government.

“We are against eviction without rehabilitation. The eviction process should strictly be done as per the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act. We are not against the government, but they should also think about our livelihood as well. They should come forward to discuss with us, rehabilitate all the street vendors and then only we will allow the eviction,” a representative of the vendors' association asserted. 

“We are not against development, but it must not undermine our right to earn a living. Evicting us without viable alternatives is not justifiable,” he added.

Despite the mounting pressure, the local authorities are yet to issue an official comment on the situation. The protest has sparked a discussion among civic groups and residents about striking the right balance between urban expansion and the continued viability of street vending practices within the city.