- People living in metropolitan cities or for that matter any cities would have noticed one thing which is a very common sight in our country, especially at traffic junctions, signals, religious places, and generally wherever gatherings are in large numbers, many destitute begging for alms. The sight might be repulsive for some of the well-heeled people dotting the urban landscape, but one cannot ignore the fact that those begging to survive are forced to indulge in the act not out of volition. It grossly reflects the socio-economic problem afflicting the downtrodden, extremely poor, and marginalized lot who otherwise would prefer to lead a dignified existence like anyone else. Alas! Life is not so easy or cozy for everybody as the challenges confronting each varies.
PC: Vinay Mishra
- Reams have been written on the matter over the last many years to eradicate begging altogether. The moot point to ponder over here is the situation merits sympathetic and humane considerations rather than one size fits all approach on the issue. Responding to a petition that wanted all beggars to be moved from traffic intersections recently, the Apex Court rightly pointed out that it is a socio-economic problem meriting compassionate approach asking the Centre and state governments to ensure vaccinations for the homeless. The SC deserves to be hailed for rightfully considering such a sensitive matter realistically and holistically. Let us delve further to comprehend what should be the plan of action to address the issue of beggars.
- Note that there is no central law against begging, though 20 states and two union territories have their own anti-beggary legislation. For the uninitiated, the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act is the basis for these laws, largely inspired by European vagrancy laws, which allow the police and social welfare departments to simply seize homeless people, or indeed anyone who looks destitute and sends them to detention centers. Poor people, their rootlessness, and lack of authentic documents make it easier for local authorities to shrug off even nominal responsibility. The Centre, which had drafted a bill to decriminalize begging had altered its position to distinguish between voluntary and involuntary begging. So far so good.
PC: Anubhav Pandey
- Further, the Delhi High Court had pointed out then that nobody begs out of choice or to shirk other employment opportunities. Needless to mention, it is nothing but abject poverty, sheer discrimination, crippling disability, landlessness, lack of quality education, and employment forcing many to beg. Of course, prevailing debilitating economic distress will push several to take recourse to destitution for survival. Conversely, it also mirrors our abject failures of providing social protection to those desperately in need of decent living. In hindsight, our ancient culture did accommodate begging and need through the ideals of charity. Those structures of yore have crumbled with society turning the blind eye of late. Thus, it is unconscionable to make criminals out of the poor until the economy can provide decent livelihoods to all. Leave alone the beggars!
