New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Madhya Pradesh government regarding a woman allegedly violating human rights by forcing her five children, aged between 2 and 10, to beg across different locations in Indore.
In a notice to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, the NHRC said, "It has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report stating that a woman in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, bought a plot of land, a two-story house, a motorcycle, a smartphone worth Rs. 20,000, and Rs. 2.5 lakh within six weeks by forcing her five children, aged between 2 and 10, to beg."
"Reportedly, all of them were being forced by her to beg at different locations, proceeding towards Mahakal Temple," it added.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. The woman arrested in this case is reportedly a repeat offender, which indicates that the authorities concerned are not vigilant, due to which the young children are being victimized even by their family members.
At an age when young children have to attend school and concentrate on their studies and careers, they are forced to adopt unethical ways of living, the NHRC said.
It further asked the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report on the matter within 4 weeks. The report should include steps taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur, it added.
The Commission directed the state authorities to inform the public about the action taken concerning the young children as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, including providing counseling in safe custody if required.
It also asked to provide information regarding whether any survey has been recently conducted by the state government to find out the number of beggars, action taken against them, and steps taken for their rehabilitation.
"It has been noted that there is no anti-begging law at the national level. However, different states have passed laws to deal with the vicious practice of begging," the NHRC said.
Madhya Pradesh has passed and adopted "M.P. Bhiksha Vritti Nivaran Adhiniyam, 1973," aimed at preventing begging, detaining, training, and employing beggars and their dependents in certified institutions and for the custody, trial, and punishment of beggar offenders in the state, the NHRC said, adding, "There is a need for a strict implementation of the law so that children do not become easy prey for the anti-social elements."
According to a media report published on February 13th, the woman was arrested by the police and sent to jail on remand. Additionally, authorities have put her 7-year-old daughter in the care of an NGO.
