Begging - What about it? Is it a crime?

It's a common sight in India, that you find beggars on streets. There are all sorts. Children, old men and women, eunuchs, crippled and at times fit men and women. If we keep aside, whether people should  and who should beg, whether its legal or not. In the recent past, I have been pestered a lot by kids and eunuchs and they wouldn't leave you till you give away money.

The other day at a temple, I had given a 2 Rs coin to a old woman who had asked for it. To my horror, she started demanding more. When I refused to give any more, she started abusing me for giving me just 2 Rs. One of my friend was telling me the other day, that, a eunuch used to come to his house daily. They would eventually give up because s/he wouldn't leave. They used to give away 1 or 2 Rs coins daily just to get rid off him/her. An year later the eunuch was demanding 10 Rs note. This exactly was what s/he said it seems, "How do you expect me to live on your 1 or 2 Rs? Don't you know about inflation? I need 10 Rs."

All these incidents made me curious. Before jumping to conclusions and making statements such as, begging is a crime, its heinous, ban begging and all. Lets analyse certain points.

What does religion say? Alms giving is an age old practice preached and followed by most religions today.  Though the seeker / receiver of the alms may not be beggars (literally). In Mahabharata, Indra has reached out to Karna in disguise of a brahmin for his armor and ear rings.  zakat, or the giving of alms, is the third of the five pillars of Islam. On one side common man, god fearing who wants to attain heaven after his death or for his ancestors' comforts in heaven is more than willing to donate. So it has been in Indian psyche to give 'something' in some or the other form.

On the flip side, why will anyone want to beg? And I have stumbled upon sources, which now treat, begging as an Industry!! According to TOI in 2006, Mumbai's beggars earn Rs 180 crore a year. Rediff in 2008 claims it to be Rs.1.8 Billion industry. Sure looks lucrative. 

Let's look at some stats. The literacy rate in India improved from 18.33% (both rural and urban) in 1951 to 69% (rural) and 85% (Urban) in 2011. That shows we still have a long way to go. We have gradually moved from Agrarian based economy to service sector based economy. The split across sectors is,
Agriculture - 17.2%
Industry - 26.4%
Services - 56.4% (Source Indexmundi)
If not for services sector, what would have been the rate of Indian unemployment? God has to answer.

There are lot of definitions for the term 'BPL' (Below Poverty Line) but according to me if a person can't eat at least one meal a day is below poverty line. In India the figure is 29.8% (Source CIA) which can easily be translated to 30 crores or more. Unemployment rate in India is no better either it stands at an estimated rate of 9.8% ( Source CIA).

So there is definitely a lot to be done not just by government but by youth in terms of employment generation. I am more than happy to notice a lot of budding entrepreneurs. Just realise we are yet to reach that point when we can treat criminals and beggars alike. Next time you see a beggar if possible donate. Else blame country's youth. But if you see someone who is completely capable of working, begging deny. Next time you find someone abusing you because you have given them JUST 2 Rs. Coolly walk up to them. Take back your money. Go to a grocery shop buy a chewing gum. You're helping the economy grow by buying goods!!