Experts working in child rights sphere said many parents push their kids to beg either to supplement their income or in case they don't earn anything.
With their 'Eradication of Child Begging' campaign, the Mumbai police are out to take on a maze of complex issues. And they will achieve success only with the participation of all sections of society, said experts.
A study by Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Action Aid in 2013 had counted 37,059 child beggars on the streets of Mumbai. The number could be way more, said experts. Since 2013, the police have rescued 1,021 child beggars.
This newspaper has volunteered to be a part of the cause and appeals to its readers to join hands with the cops. Readers can click pictures of child beggars and send them to DNA with location details – we won't publish the photos, but will share them with the cops for prompt action (see box). The campaign which started on September 15 will go on till October 15.
Experts working in child rights sphere said many parents push their kids to beg either to supplement their income or in case they don't earn anything. Milind Bidwai, chairperson of city's Child Welfare Committee, said more children are pushed to begging by parents than the mafia. "Migrant and tribal communities from Bijapur district of Karnataka, Latur, Osmanabad and Solapur often use their kids for begging," said Bidwai.
Viral Mistry, a working professional, welcomed the move. "A child is best seen with books in a school than the street. With a child begging, an asset becomes a liability. This must be rectified."
Currently, rights bodies rescue child beggars, with the help of police, after receiving tips. They first counsel the adults behind the act make them aware of the laws. Raids follow if the initial efforts fail. The rescued children are then sent to CWC and later juvenile homes for rehabilitation and education.
SAVE A CHILD
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- You can send pictures of child beggars and share their location with DNA on our WhatsApp No. 7400211111 or editor@dnaindia.net. We won’t publish them, but share the data with the police
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