Growing Menace of Begging Mafia in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Begging mafia has become a growing menace in the city with more than 3,000 active beggars disrupting public life. Despite multiple crackdowns by police, the problem persists, with beggars swarming traffic signals, temples, and commercial areas, irritating the public.

Earlier, authorities carried out operations under the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) leading to the arrest of more than 30 beggars. However, the situation remains the same.

The task force team took up a special drive and nabbed Anil Pawar hailing from Karnataka who ran a begging mafia in the city in 2023. He hired people to work for him, begging at junctions in different parts of the city and paid Rs 200 per person every day.

Public frustration reached its peak, with people constantly finding themselves harassed at traffic signals, roads, and fast food chains. “I have ordered for an omelet and was waiting for it to come at a fast food centre near SR Nagar. A beggar approached me, asking for money. I refused because we don't want to encourage them. Then, another woman tapped my shoulder, which was annoying. This was followed by a series of people every five minutes. A total of seven beggars approached me in less than half an hour," said K. Bhargavi, a private sector employee.

While shop owners in commercial areas complain about the negative impact on their businesses. "It’s very disturbing. These beggars block our paths and are very persistent. It affects our customers and, in turn, our business," said Ravi, a shop owner from Ameerpet.

"I'm totally upset with the way the system works. They only focus on this issue when they want to, or when they don't get their bribes. It's an ongoing problem and it feels like they don't even care about it. Because it's irritating when we have to stop at signals. We find at least five people in every signal,” echoed Vijayendra Verma.

Beggars, often brought in from other states, operate within a well-oiled network. Many are part of a larger racket, controlled by mafia leaders who exploit them for monetary gain. An average of 3,000 active beggars are there in the city. The mafia leaders provide them with designated spots and monitor their activities to ensure maximum collection. They use children and exploit their vulnerability to evoke sympathy. These children are rented out daily or weekly for a fixed amount, making them victims of severe exploitation, said reliable sources.

The GHMC is tasked with addressing the issue, but their efforts have been ineffective. They have initiated several rehabilitation programs but all these efforts have not yielded much.

Most of them choose begging as a carrier option earning thousands of rupees. Even though we arrest them and put them in homes, they flee and again start begging because they have that liberty. They eat well and have nice backgrounds. In fact, most of them have settled backgrounds. It's important to keep in mind that they are already rich enough with all the required amenities. When you give food out of sympathy, they don't take it, they only ask for money. It means they are good enough with basic needs. Strict actions should be taken against them. Sources said.

AHTU inspector B. James Babu told Deccan Chronicle that "70 percent of people choose begging as a full-time profession. We conduct regular checks and make arrests when minors are found. Minors are handed over to homes to facilitate them with education. One should not encourage them by giving money to eradicate this menace in the city.

Begging, especially in a city like Hyderabad, can be quite lucrative. Many beggars earn more than that of minimum wage workers, making it difficult to persuade them to take up alternative employment, explained a member of NGO Rosy Sankalp. She explained that “Even when leaders are arrested, new ones quickly take their place, ensuring the continuity of operations. Besides, the rehabilitation programs, though well-intentioned, are often underfunded and poorly managed. Many beggars lack interest to participate in these programs and anti-begging laws and legal loopholes allow them to thrive. Once arrested, many beggars are released soon after to return to the streets,” she said.

The public sympathy towards beggars, especially those with children, plays into the hands of the mafia. People often give money out of pity, inadvertently supporting the mafia which actually is not supposed to do. One should not give money. Donate to charities instead of giving money directly to beggars, said another social activist.

Here, beggars are choosers!

Begging has become a growing nuisance in Hyderabad with more than 3,000 active beggars disrupting public life.

The GHMC is tasked with addressing the issue, but their efforts have been found ineffective.

Beggars are rich enough with all the required amenities. They don't take food, they only ask for money. It means they are good enough with basic needs.

Public sympathy towards beggars, especially those with children, helps the mafia. People give money out of pity, inadvertently supporting the mafia.

70 percent of beggars choose begging as a full-time profession.