Bruhat Bengaluru Beedhi Vyapari Sanghatanegala Okkuta, a federation of street vendor unions across Bangalore, organised a protest march in Bengaluru on August 3rd 2016. The call for the protest/bandh was to bring to light the series of evictions that have been happening in Bengaluru by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Resident Welfare Associations and the Police. It was also to articulate resistance to the 100%FDI in retail sales of food products as well as the amendment to the Shops and Establishment Act that would enable malls and supermarkets to stay open 24 hours which would impact heavily on the businesses of the street vendors. The Federation, in their press release, calls for a hold on the modifications to the Shops and Establishment Act and the 100% FDI; ensure that the rights of the street vendors are upheld by the BBMP; the right to vend and protection against evictions and the provision of basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets, storage and shelter via the money set aside in the BBMP budget.
