Page 66 - AUG2018E

column

Indians beg to differ on

robust begging business

The LasT o matter how much money you the relaxation is misused by the wrong
have, you can make some bad
elements of the society.
Word decisions, and in months you’re beggar’s honour that he is not a thief.” The
According to a Japanese saying, “it is a
on the street, begging — goes a
Abdul WAsey N saying. People, no doubt, need Indian law — a remnant of colonial-era
help when they are broke or facing tough policymaking — somehow doesn’t see
times. That way, the recent decision of the much difference between the two. Some
Delhi High Court to decriminalise begging of the draconian provisions of the age-old
in the Capital is a welcome step. The mar- Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959,
ginalised who beg not by choice but out of that was applicable in Delhi and vari-
compulsion must be supported as it is not ous of other states included a jail term of
only humane but also the duty of the fel- three years for first-time offenders. The
low mortals to help their poor consorts live punishment could be extended to 10 years
with dignity. for repeating the offence. Besides, the Act
A bench of acting chief justice Gita included in its ambit not only those who
Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar observed seek alms, but also those who tried to earn
on August 8 that prosecutions under the a living by way of showcasing their skills
Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, — dancing, singing, music, trapeze or any
would be liable to be struck down. The other performance act in public areas
verdict defines begging as the last resort to and roads.
subsistence. In no way does it set a prece- In the latest verdict, the court rightly
dent, and neither does it empathise with the highlighted that the root cause of begging
weaker sections of society. In all its earnest- is poverty. There are also many other social,
ness, it acknowledges that the practice of societal and governmental reasons behind
begging is an end, not a means, for those the it. Illiteracy, absence of social protection,
state failed to support with basic economic caste-based discrimination, physical and
aid and social security. The Delhi High Court mental disabilities and consequent isola-
bench must be hailed for the judgement. tion, etc, were also listed by the court.
But things are not as simple and straight As per the official figures, there are
as they appear when it comes to begging around 100,000 beggars who roam the
and beggars. streets of Delhi. Criminalising and decrimi-
The problem arises when the act of nalising the act may not help much in re-
begging is made into a business. At in- ducing their numbers or improving their
dividual level, it’s not hard to find alms- condition. The government needs to frame
seekers misusing the charitable nature policy to cure the socio-economic ills that
of the general public to earn easy money. create beggars, not punishing people for
Begging mafias are commonplace in most falling victim to these. It must also crack
cities of the country. It is also well-known down on the organised begging racket lest
that cuts are given to the local mafioso, the decriminalisation becomes an incentive
cops and sundry civic officials. Many of the for it to exploit people without means. The
indigent are substance addicts who need efforts to find solution to the problem must
money for a fix, for which they ultimately be multi-tiered, multi-faceted and multi-
resort to begging. Thus, decriminalising the agency. The earlier we act the better. Else,
act in Delhi should, in some way, only be begging will continue in the country for a
limited to those who beg out of necessity. very long time to come.
Else, chances are that the exploitation of
women and children will increase and letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 31 august 2018 66 www.Tehelka.com