Many public spaces in cities of India have beggars seeking alms. While some genuinely survive off it, some are involved in criminal activities. It not only causes civic disruption but also creates a potentially unsafe environment. Authorities in Bhopal seek to tackle this problem.
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, has officially banned giving alms, with violators facing penal action. Following Indore’s 2023 ban on begging, Bhopal has now implemented similar restrictions, aiming to curb the practice in the city.
District collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh of Bhopal prohibited begging in an order issued on Monday evening under section 163 (2) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. The order cites concerns over criminal activities and drug addiction among beggars, particularly those soliciting at traffic signals. Not just because of the civic disruption, it also highlights the risk of accidents posed by their presence on busy roads.
The bilateral order explicitly mentioned that both seeking and offering alms in the Bhopal district would lead to “legal action’. Moreover, any individual found “giving anything in the form of alms to beggars or buying any goods” would be strictly penalised by the authorities. Formal legal action would be taken under relevant provisions against those violating the prohibitory order against begging in Bhopal.
For those affected by this ban, a shelter facility in Kolar, Bhopal is reserved as a beggar home. Located at the Community Health Centre, the administration has made their efforts to curb criminal activities linked to street beggars. To provide a safe rehabilitation for the displaced persons, this shelter has been a step towards a safer Bhopal.
This ban follows a similar crackdown on begging in Indore last year, where authorities also warned citizens against offering alms to beggars. Officials argue that such steps are necessary to deter organized begging networks and reduce the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
The administration has appealed to the public to cooperate with the order. It emphasizes that giving money to beggars does not address their underlying issues but rather perpetuates their dependency. In some cases, this may also contribute to criminal activities.
This order comes at a time where every citizen has a voice to express their opinion openly and is bound to receive some mixed reactions. But, with the shelter facility the administration has safeguarded the displaced individuals and will work towards their rehabilitation and safe integration into the society. Pushing towards legal action, strengthens the authority of the order and urges the people of Bhopal to adhere to it.
With PTI Inputs