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NHRC Directs States to Protect Vendors During Festive Season
The National Human Rights Commission wants officials to protect vendors during upcoming festivals.
Some complaints said vendors were removed, had their goods taken, were fined or harassed.
The Commission says vendors should not be removed without a good reason.
If a place must be cleared for fire or public safety, officials should offer vendors another suitable place to work.
Officials should deal with complaints of harassment, extortion or interference according to the law.
The Commission also wants local vendors and traditional work to be supported.
State and Union Territory officials must share and carry out the directions.
Reports on pending matters are due by 18 October 2026.
The NHRC directed all States and Union Territories to protect vendors’ livelihoods and human rights during Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja.
The directions follow complaints alleging unnecessary removals, goods seizures, fines and harassment of vendors and hawkers.
Vendors should not be unnecessarily evicted or deprived of their livelihoods during the festival period.
If a location must be cleared for fire or public safety, authorities should provide suitable alternative vending spaces.
Chief Secretaries must circulate and implement the directions; reports in pending matters are due by 18 October 2026.
- Who
- The National Human Rights Commission directed State and Union Territory administrations to protect vendors, hawkers, potters and small traders.
- What
- It issued directions against unnecessary evictions, arbitrary seizure of goods and harassment, and called for suitable alternative vending spaces when safety requires relocation.
- Where
- Across all States and Union Territories.
- When
- Ahead of Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja; reports in pending matters are due by 18 October 2026.
- Why
- The directions respond to complaints about vendors being removed, having goods seized, being fined or harassed, and aim to protect their livelihoods and human rights.
Key facts
- Issuing body
- National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
- Recipients
- All States and Union Territories
- Festivals covered
- Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja
- People covered
- Local vendors, street vendors, hawkers, potters and small traders
- Relocation
- Suitable alternative vending spaces should be provided when relocation is necessary for fire or public safety.
- Implementation
- Chief Secretaries are to ensure the directions are circulated to district, municipal, police and other concerned officials and effectively implemented.
- Reporting deadline
- Action Taken Reports in pending matters are due by 18 October 2026; one article specifies additional reports, while the other says additional or complete reports.
Sources
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