Bhopal Follows Indore's Lead in Banning Public Begging!

The district collector of Bhopal issued an order on Monday, imposing a total ban on begging across all the  public places within the district's jurisdiction.

This decision follows the example of Indore, which enforced a ban on begging and introduced strict measures, including filing FIRs against violators which started on January 1st of this year. Indore authorities have implemented a rigorous policy prohibiting both the giving and receiving of alms, and also buying goods from beggars.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to rehabilitate beggars and eliminate this practice once and for all. Many of the FIRs have already been lodged in Indore after reports surfaced of local residents giving alms to beggars.

Taking a similar approach, Bhopal district officials stated that this ban was a reply to reports from newspapers and other sources drawing attention to the rising issue of begging at traffic signals, intersections, religious places, tourist sites, & other public areas.

According to this order, “individuals engaging in begging, either alone or with their families, not only violate government directives aimed at curbing the practice but also disrupt public movement and traffic.” The administration pointed out that several of these “individuals come from other states and cities, with some having criminal records.”

Moreover, authorities noted that a “significant number of beggars are reportedly involved in substance abuse or other illicit activities, while organized begging networks often serve as fronts for criminal operations.” They also pointed out the increased “risk of accidents at traffic signals due to beggars obstructing the roads.”

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