In a bid to improve public hygiene, the municipal authorities in Tinsukia, a town in India’s northeastern state of Assam, have introduced an unusual initiative by publicly displaying CCTV footage of people caught urinating in public.
The campaign, dubbed “Hall of Shame,” aims to discourage public urination, spitting, and the disposal of betel nut stains in public spaces—problems that have persisted despite awareness campaigns, fines, and enforcement drives.
Under the initiative, large digital screens have been installed at key intersections across the town. When CCTV cameras capture someone urinating along roadsides or against public walls, their image or video is immediately displayed on the screens for public viewing.
Municipal officials believe that the fear of public embarrassment will discourage such unhygienic behavior and encourage residents to keep the town clean.
The initiative has drawn mixed reactions.
Supporters have praised the move as an innovative way to improve civic behavior, arguing that social accountability may succeed where financial penalties have failed.
However, civil rights advocates have raised concerns over privacy and personal dignity, arguing that publicly displaying individuals’ images without their consent could violate their right to privacy.
They say authorities should explore alternative methods of promoting public awareness that protect both cleanliness and citizens’ fundamental rights.
It remains to be seen whether Tinsukia’s unconventional “Hall of Shame” campaign will prove effective in reducing public urination and improving sanitation across the town.
