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NHRC Orders States to Protect Street Vendors During Diwali in Madhya Pradesh
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bhopal
🗓 05 Oct 2026, 08:15 AM
👁 21
The National Human Rights Commission has directed state governments to refrain from removing street vendors, stall owners and small traders during the festive season, and to provide alternative spaces where needed.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a formal directive to all state governments, urging them not to displace street vendors, mobile stall owners and other small traders during the upcoming Diwali celebrations. The order stresses that removal should only occur on genuine safety grounds and that authorities must explore alternative locations for affected vendors.
According to the NHRC, many informal vendors rely on festive footfall for a substantial portion of their annual income. Unnecessary eviction could jeopardise their livelihood, especially in the weeks leading up to Diwali when consumer demand spikes. The commission has asked state officials to coordinate with local municipal bodies to identify suitable temporary sites that do not compromise public safety.
The directive arrives as Madhya Pradesh prepares for the holiday season, with market streets in Bhopal and other cities expected to see heightened activity. Officials are expected to issue implementation guidelines within the next few days, aiming to balance public order with the economic needs of the informal sector.
If states fail to comply, the NHRC warned that it would consider further legal action to protect the rights of these workers, underscoring the commission's commitment to safeguarding the right to livelihood.
According to the NHRC, many informal vendors rely on festive footfall for a substantial portion of their annual income. Unnecessary eviction could jeopardise their livelihood, especially in the weeks leading up to Diwali when consumer demand spikes. The commission has asked state officials to coordinate with local municipal bodies to identify suitable temporary sites that do not compromise public safety.
The directive arrives as Madhya Pradesh prepares for the holiday season, with market streets in Bhopal and other cities expected to see heightened activity. Officials are expected to issue implementation guidelines within the next few days, aiming to balance public order with the economic needs of the informal sector.
If states fail to comply, the NHRC warned that it would consider further legal action to protect the rights of these workers, underscoring the commission's commitment to safeguarding the right to livelihood.