On the streets for survival Premium

Explore the struggles of Vijayawada's beggars, facing economic hardship, stigma, and challenges in rehabilitation efforts amidst legal constraints.

All her life, Malla Durga (39) worked relentlessly to ensure that her children — four daughters and a son — would never have to depend on others for their sustenance. She provided education to four of them and hoped they would lead better lives. However, her years of struggle came to naught when her first daughter (22), who studied up to Class X, chose to seek alms in a desperate effort to get by.

Carrying her infant son in her arms, the daughter, Devi (name changed), loiters on the streets of Vijayawada, beseeching passers-by for help. Along with four other women from her community, Devi goes to the Kanaka Durga temple in the city, about 7 km away from her house in YSR Colony, around 6 a.m., and returns by noon .“If she carries her infant son, she may get more money. Each of them gets between ₹300 and ₹400, which is enough for us,” says Durga, looking at Devi, who keeps her eyes cast down and remains silent.

Begging is a criminal offence in the State. In 1977, Andhra Pradesh introduced the Prevention of Begging Act, which authorises the police to arrest any person begging in public places without a warrant. According to the Act, begging refers to an act where a person solicits material help using words or gestures.

But how do we differentiate between voluntary and forced begging?

While the law clearly criminalises begging, questions remain over which government agency is responsible for addressing the issue and rehabilitating those affected. The Hindu reporter contacted officials in the Social Welfare Department, who directed the reporter to speak with the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, said that the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) handles the matter. However, officials in MEPMA stated that the subject falls under the Women and Child Welfare Department.

B. Naresh Kumar, founder and president of Generation Yuvaa, a child welfare organisation in Visakhapatnam, says the focus should be on forced begging. In the shelter home run by him, there are 220 people rescued from begging at present. “Around 30% of them were pushed into it due to extreme poverty. For the others, it was simply a way of life to earn money,” he says.