With the onset of Ramadhan, non-local beggars have inundated Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley, where they have been observed requesting alms in public places, including markets and traffic signals.
This is happening at a time when the government has already made begging illegal in public areas and in Masjids.
Under Section 4 of the Jammu Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act, 1960, Section 61 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989, any person found soliciting alms in a public place, or in or around a mosque, temple, or another place of public worship, whether or not under any pretence, and entering on any private premises for the purpose of soliciting alms shall be immediately arrested.
Non-local beggars sent by “contractors” have been seen asking for charity in public places, markets, and Masjids, especially during Ramadhan. Their contractors who mostly are non-locals hand over children to them and send them to Kashmir. “They get a mere commission from the amount people offer them. rest of the amount is taken by the contractor who sends these beggars to various parts of the valley,” Sources privy to the information said.
They said that till the day of Eid, these non-local beggars will be seen roaming the markets, seeking alms carrying children who are not even their own. Furthermore, people have been witnessed giving Sadqa-e-Fitr to these beggars.
It is necessary to identify the meritorious individuals who are eligible to receive the Sadqa-e-Fitr. Furthermore, religious leaders must ensure that the public is aware of such acts and that they are immediately stopped.
In 2018, the PDP-BJP administration outlawed begging in public areas and ordered anybody who did so to be arrested.