Haya Ashraf, JEMTEC School of Law, Affiliated to GGSIPU, Greater Noida
ABSTRACT
Despite India's rapid economic development, begging has been a social issue in our country since the dawn of human civilization and continues now, despite our government's best efforts to eradicate it through a variety of policies and legislation.
There are 4,13,670 overall beggars in India (including 2,21,673 men and 1,91,997 women), a rise from the previous count. West Bengal comes in first on the list, followed by Uttar Pradesh at number two and Bihar at number three. According to the 2011 census, there are only two vagrants living in Lakshadweep. There were 2,187 beggars in New Delhi, the most of any union territory, followed by 121 in Chandigarh. Assam topped the list of northeastern states with 22,116 beggars, while Mizoram came in last with 53.1
We don't have a single national law, but the states each have their own anti- begging statutes. Despite any evidence of abuse and without any indication that the already disadvantaged segment of society has committed a crime, beggary laws nevertheless exist in Indian law. Anti-begging laws in India that restrict begging in an arbitrary manner infringe the fundamental rights of beggars who rely on begging as their only means of subsistence.
Thus, beggary has turned into a really important issue to pay attention to. Despite its best efforts, India has been unable to solve this socio-economic as well as socio-legal issue. Therefore, the study addressed current beggar laws in India and whether it is a crime or a necessity.
