How can Dhaka as a city improve when the very people whose duty it is to keep the city habitable bend the law to fill their pockets?
Despite being a priority for both the mayors, Dhaka’s streets continue to fall victim to the encroachment of hawkers and street vendors.
This causes major problems in movement, for both pedestrians and vehicles, and makes it very difficult for ordinary citizens to obey the traffic rules.
Why does this problem persist?
The thugs from the ruling party’s student and youth wings, in addition to the Bangladeshi Shramik League, are contributing to these illegal shops on the streets.
Even more alarming is the fact that local police officers are also involved.
The fact that political leaders and police officers have enough power to supersede the mayors’ intentions is not merely troublesome, but a veritable disgrace to the nation and its values.
The government must recognise these elements and eliminate them. They cannot be allowed to hold power over these streets, streets which need to be free and safe for travel, streets which rightfully belong to the citizens of this country. They cannot continue to profit off of the misery of Dhaka’s citizens.
But that is not enough.
These hawkers are dependent on the livelihoods which these makeshift shops provide, and their trade and skills must be allowed to take root elsewhere so that they too might flourish in their pursuits.
Alternative locations and opportunities must be provided so that hawkers in general are not sacrificed at the expense of making our city a better place to live.
