Will take hawkers issue to Supreme Court: Congress

Mumbai: The city Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, who is championing the cause of hawkers in the city, has said that the fight for hawkers’ rights would be pursued in the Supreme Court. The high court had restricted hawking to existing hawking zones and had refused to grant relief to others. He also said that the fight for hawkers was far from over and it would be fought not only in the courtroom, but also out on the streets.  

The hawkers issue is becoming very sensitive with the Railways and the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) taking action daily after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) agitation. Mr Nirupam is supporting the hawkers and has filed a case in the high court.

Now, Mr Nirupam is preparing to file an appeal in the Supreme Court and consulting with legal experts. He said there were many contradictions in the order passed by the Bombay high court last week. The high court protected the hawkers who were on streets till May 1, 2014. They also asked for action to be taken against hawkers who were doing business after 2009, which was a contradiction.

“We agree that there should be a no-hawking zone in the area outside railway stations upto 150 metres. But the government, the BMC and the railways should first make alternative arrangements and then take action against hawkers who are on the streets after May 1, 2014. The action of the BMC and Railway is illegal,” contended Mr Nirupam.

“Now we will fight in the Supreme Court and on the streets as well. The Congress is planning a big morcha of hawkers,” he said.