NHRC Calls for Rights-Based, Data-Driven National Strategy to Eliminate Beggary

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India organised a hybrid Open House Discussion on “Rethinking Beggary: Bridging Gaps between Policy, Practice and Dignity”, bringing together senior officials, state representatives, and civil society experts to address the persistent challenge of beggary. Chairing the discussion, NHRC Member Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi described begging as a serious social concern that undermines dignity and constitutional rights. He stressed that eliminating beggary requires a rights-based, rehabilitation-oriented approach anchored in constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, and social justice. While noting that several states have enacted anti-beggary laws, he emphasised that legal provisions alone are insufficient without measurable improvements in rehabilitation and reintegration. He also called for a review of the NHRC Advisory (2024) and the Government’s SMILE-B Scheme to assess outcomes and execution gaps.

NHRC Member Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani underscored the need for a coordinated national strategy with defined timelines and accountability mechanisms, particularly to protect women and children. She advocated the creation of a national portal and comprehensive data survey, warning that effective policymaking is impossible without reliable data. She further urged strict action against organised beggary mafias and trafficking networks, while prioritising long-term rehabilitation over temporary solutions.

NHRC Secretary General Shri Bharat Lal highlighted the importance of a campaign-mode implementation, calling for proactive identification and inclusion. He stressed that authorities should reach out to vulnerable populations to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment and link identified individuals with welfare schemes, with a focused approach on beggary hotspots. Collaboration with NGOs and civil society, he said, is essential for last-mile delivery.

Officials from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and UIDAI detailed ongoing initiatives supporting rehabilitation, documentation, and access to welfare benefits. Stakeholders collectively recommended decriminalisation, data-driven policy, inter-ministerial convergence, and capacity-building of frontline agencies to ensure a dignity-centric response.

The discussions reinforced a shared vision of a dignified, sustainable reintegration framework aimed at building a more inclusive, begging-free India.

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