The Street Begger

Begging is not allowed and yet beggars are very common in India.  They can be seen at places of worship platforms, road-crossings, monuments, fairs and streets. They wander from street to street, locality to locality and from one bazaar to another. They beg for money, food, clothes etc. in alms. They often create trouble and cause nuisance. Sometimes they commit thefts, pick pocketing and such other anti-social acts.    Begging has become a thriving and well organized profession. Sometimes there are reports in the newspapers about dead beggars leaving a huge amount of money and property behind them.    They move here and there singing or in groups and adopt various tricks to arouse pity and sympathy among the people. They are of many kinds-men, women, children, diseased, deformed, bind, lame and lepers. In many a case a beggar may be a quite healthy and able-bodied. But he or she may pretend to be blind, maimed or diseased. They present and ugly sight and make a very bad impression on the visiters from foreign Countries. They create chaos and disorder and spoil the image of the Country.    Beggars do not deserve any charity at all, not even lame, blind and diseased. Those who are really maimed, blind or deprived should be sheltered into asylums and poor-houses and not allowed to roam in the open. The government and the local administration should take care of all the beggars. Those who are hale and hearty should be given some gainful employment. And those who are crippled, blind, deaf or dumb should be looked after at public expense.    Beggars often cheat the simple and gullible people, particularly religiously maided ones. They deceive and create problems. Their number is ever on increase. They indulge in drinking, gambling, drug-abuse, child-lifting, thefts etc. They also spread disease. The beggary is now a well- organised profession and there are contracts for various well-known places of begging. Children are often kidnapped and stolen and then disfigured and maimed and forced to beg for their criminal masters.    Begging is a great social evil and should be dealt accordingly. It is a disgrace on the Indian society. Everything possible should be done to eradicate beggars and begging. The police, the administration, the social groups and voluntary agencies should come together and eradicate the problem. The political leaders and parties should take the lead and see that this social pestilence is no more there. Law courts can also help in checking the menace. They can direct the government to strictly ban the beggary . People can approach the law courts with public interest petitions in the matter.