- Union government is working on making a big database of beggars in the country
- Most of the beggars are not actually needy ones, they are pawns of groups trying to destabilise India
- Modi government is looking to bring central legislation aimed at regulating the multi-billion begging industry
No matter what you have been taught from childhood, most beggars are not poor people. In fact, they are part of a well-organised industry run by mafias. Now, it seems like PM Modi is set to eliminate them from your traffic signals.
Census of beggars
Central government is working on estimating the number of beggars in the country. Modi government will be taking the assistance of states in this project. Individual Municipalities will be identifying beggars and then their collective database will be handed to state governments, which will then pass it to Union Government. Union will compile a meta-data from the received data.
The initiative was announced on 12th February 2022 on the occasion of the launch of a national scheme for the rehabilitation of beggars and transgenders. On the occasion, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E) also emphasised on decriminalisation of beggary in India.
Though you witness beggars on a daily basis, there is very little data available about them. In March last year, Modi Government put the number of beggars in India at 4,13,670. West Bengal with 81,224 beggars topped the list. However, various independent studies have claimed that the actual number is much higher than the government’s figure.
Begging is not part of Sanatan Dharma
Though Sanatan culture boasts of Ram Rajya where everyone was happy, Ram Rajya did not allow people to beg if they are poor. Our culture always focussed on the empowerment of those who could not feed themselves. Begging was never a part of the Sanatan value system.
Bhiksha was reserved for those who had absolved themselves from worldly pleasures. Bhikshus asked for alms as it was believed to be a method of conquering one’s ego.
Daridra Narayans
Moreover, Hindus have always treated the actual poor as a form of Bhagwan. The concept ‘Daridra Narayan’ has been brought in to serve the poor. A specific place and time has been reserved where these Daridras (poor) are provided with their needs
Daridras sit outside the Mandirs and Bhakts visiting these Mandirs give them alms according to their individual capacity. Additionally, family functions like Janeu and Marriages are also some of those times where a family has to compulsorily feed the resourceless section of society. This tradition is called giving NEG.
Begging mafias exploit unfortunate children
In 21st century India, which is affected by two waves of Abrahamic colonialism, begging has become a profession. They act as syndicates where they harness the kindness of human beings for their own nefarious benefits.
The modus operandi of these beggars is simple. Most of the time they use children and little poor girls for begging. People generally are kinder towards these sections of the population. These children sit on the road expecting that they will get something from the one who made them sit there.
However, the beggar mafia ensures that they remain malnourished and look as much miserable as they can. Through this, they ensure that the rich keep pushing money into their begging plates. After these children get a bit older, they are sold to the prostitution industry which pays these mafias a hefty amount in return for them. Read why you should not pay a single penny to them.
Threat to national security
Moreover, you will be surprised to know that these beggars are a threat to national security. Due to roaming around every street, they are aware of every nook and corner. This is exactly what people from the underworld and other terrorist organisations exploit.
The thing is at the end of the day, these beggars are also looking for some extra bucks. The criminal elements know how much they are getting from begging mafias. So, they offer a bit extra in return for them becoming spies for anti-national elements.
Central government will now keep a check on them
Most of those termed as beggars are not actually beggars. They are softer arms of those working relentlessly to corrode India from inside. It’s not that Union Government doesn’t know about it, but legal compulsions have constrained its hands till now.
Read more: Indian constitution reeks of colonialism
Since begging is a state subject in Constitution, till now Central Government has refrained from interfering. Around 20 states have criminalised begging through laws modelled along the lines of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959. However, a clear national-level data-based approach is the need of the hour.
Read more: Gujarat could soon be India’s first Beggar-free state
It is being believed that Modi Government is on its way to bringing a nationwide law to regulate begging. The data collected by the government will ensure that only actual beggars who are in dire need of welfare will benefit from it.
Yes I agree.
Insightful article, good job TFI.
The Act very much needed,