Vadodara: Roadside food vendors in Vadodara, Gujarat, have resorted to a unique form of protest by using posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as shields against anti-encroachment drives conducted by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). Frustrated with repeated confiscations of their carts and stalls, these vendors are appealing directly to the Prime Minister in a bid to protect their livelihoods.
For years, nine eateries near Genda Circle operated without any significant issues. However, recent anti-encroachment efforts by the VMC have resulted in multiple seizures of their stalls, leading to financial losses and disrupted businesses. Unable to tolerate the harassment any longer, the vendors decided to take a stand.
On Wednesday, they relocated their stalls around 500 meters away from Genda Circle and prominently displayed posters featuring Prime Minister Modi. The posters carry a simple yet powerful message written across them, Modiji, we should not be harassed.
One of the affected vendors, Maheshbhai Agarwal, expressed his support for the Prime Minister’s initiatives, particularly the Swanidhi Yojana, a government scheme that provides financial assistance to street vendors. Agarwal highlighted that despite receiving a loan of Rs 10,000 under the scheme and operating legally for several years, his stall has been confiscated by the VMC eight times in recent months, causing a 35-day disruption to his business.
Social activist Kamlesh Parmar echoed Agarwal’s sentiments and emphasized the plight of these vendors. He urged the corporation to reconsider its approach and allow the stall owners to operate peacefully, citing the Prime Minister’s vision of empowering the poor through self-financing schemes.
The incident sheds light on the ongoing conflict between street vendors and urban authorities in India. While the VMC aims to maintain order and public safety, the vendors struggle to make a living within the existing regulations. The use of Prime Minister Modi’s image in this protest reflects the desperation of these vendors and their hope for a more sympathetic resolution from the government.
The outcome of this unique form of protest remains uncertain. It remains to be seen how the VMC will respond—whether it prompts a more accommodating approach towards street vendors or ignites further tension is yet to be determined.
This issue highlights the challenges faced by street vendors across the country and the need for a balanced approach that considers the livelihoods of these individuals while ensuring public order and safety.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Vadodara street vendors and the VMC come face to face in a battle that symbolizes the struggle between small businesses and civic authorities. The fate of the vendors now rests in the hands of the local government as they await a fair resolution to their grievances.
