New Delhi: If you thought all that debate over the relevance of Gandhigiri was limited to discussions in TV studios, you need a reality check.
The phenomenal impact of Bollywood blockbuster Lage Raho Munnabhai can be seen on streets as well.
The latest to be bitten by the Gandhigiri bug are the street vendors of Delhi’s Nehru Place who have started an indefinite candle light vigil at Raj Ghat to protest the Delhi Development Authority's alleged confiscation of goods from their shops.
The protest was shifted to Rajghat after police objected to conducting the vigil that began on Monday in front of Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy's residence citing security reasons.
Demanding the setting up of a hawkers centre on the lines of Model Hawker Market in Sewa Nagar, they alleged that DDA officials were harassing them by confiscating their goods and subjecting them to abuse despite High Court orders.
Flocked under the banner of Manushi Sangathan, they also alleged that majority of genuine hawkers were denied licence despite a specific reference in the National Policy for Street Vendors adopted in January 2004.
"There are about three lakh street vendors in Delhi as per official records. Unofficial estimates peg it at five lakhs. But only 3,000 licences are issued to these people leaving majority of them termed as illegal," Sanghtan organiser Madhu Kishawar said.
Kishawar also demanded the suspension of the Junior Engineer in charge of the Nehru Place complex alleging that he was unleashing a reign of terror in an attempt to drive out all genuine vendors and corner prime vending spots for the well-to-do traders.
The protests will be conducted every evening till all the demands are met, the release added.
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