As reported, some vendors were banned at Old Goa on the feast day. Some say it was the right decision because some devotees and pilgrims got disturbed by their approach while selling their items. Others say due to ban on vendors there was smooth flow of people in the streets and through the fair. It seems that some sellers who can pay big money are allowed to put up their stalls and sell their goods including eatables. But the poor vendors selling ordinary items such as flowers, candles, candle figurines were banned. Was it really justified?
If one travels to different religious pilgrimage centres all over the world including different places in our own country, there are vendors selling flowers, candles, candle figurines, holy pictures, holy statues and other holy items. At many pilgrimage centres, the vendors who sell their items are given special place to stand and sell their items. No pilgrimage centre has banned such ordinary people selling their items such as flowers, candles etc.
Instead of banning them, these vendors are given special places. One cannot be so ruthless, heartless and divisive in banning such poor vendors who earn their livelihood by selling these ordinary items. Instead of banning such vendors, it is advisable to provide them special place so that like the rich, the poor too can earn their livelihood especially on feast days.
