Caught on camera: Assam town's 'Hall of Shame' campaign targets public urinators
The municipality in Tinsukia displays CCTV images of offenders on LED screens, sparking a nationwide debate on civic responsibility, privacy and public sanitation.
A cleanliness campaign in Assam's Tinsukia town has sparked debate across India after local authorities began publicly displaying images of people caught urinating or littering in public spaces.
Dubbed the "Hall of Shame" campaign, the initiative uses CCTV cameras installed at several locations across Tinsukia to identify people allegedly caught urinating in public or littering.
Images captured by the cameras are displayed on LED screens at prominent locations across the town in an effort to discourage repeat offences and promote cleaner public spaces, reports NDTV.
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The campaign has drawn mixed reactions from residents.
Many welcomed the municipality's attempt to address a long-standing civic problem, saying public accountability could discourage unhygienic behaviour.
"People will think twice before littering or urinating in public if they know they are being watched. It's a good initiative, but the administration should also improve basic facilities," one resident said.
However, several residents argued that stricter enforcement alone would not solve the problem without adequate sanitation infrastructure.
They pointed to a shortage of public toilets, particularly in busy markets and commercial areas, and urged authorities to expand access to clean and well-maintained facilities.
"If the government expects people to maintain cleanliness, it must first ensure there are enough public toilets. Without proper facilities, campaigns like this cannot bring lasting change," another resident said.
The campaign has also raised concerns over privacy and dignity. While many support action against habitual offenders, some questioned whether publicly displaying images of alleged violators strikes the right balance between enforcement and individual rights.
The initiative gained wider attention after Milind Deora shared it on X, suggesting that Mumbai's civic authorities could consider naming, shaming and fining habitual public urinators, spitters and litterers.
He also stressed that such measures should be accompanied by the availability of clean, safe and accessible public toilets.
The discussion surrounding Tinsukia's experiment has reignited a broader debate on how cities can improve public hygiene by combining effective enforcement with investment in civic infrastructure.
