Begging on the streets of India is often viewed with either indifference or sympathy. While many passersby may offer a few coins or food, very few truly understand the deeply rooted exploitation and organized crime that lies behind this seemingly simple act. What appears to be a case of poverty is, more often than not, the result of a vast and cruel network—commonly referred to as the “Beggar Mafia”—that thrives on human misery and helplessness. This SEO-friendly article exposes the horrifying truths behind this criminal industry, drawing from real-life stories like that of Suresh Manjhi, and aims to bring awareness and compassion-driven change.

The Shocking Case of Suresh Manjhi

Suresh, a daily wage laborer from Bihar, came to Kanpur in search of employment and was lured by a man named Vijay with the promise of work. Instead, he was kidnapped, intoxicated, and subjected to unspeakable cruelty—his eyes chemically damaged, fingers severed, and body scarred to make him appear more pitiable. He was sold to a woman and trafficked to Delhi for begging. Starved, injected with harmful chemicals, and tortured daily, Suresh eventually became too weak to beg. He was then discarded like waste and sent back to Kanpur, where he was again forced to beg. Eventually, he was abandoned, and only with great difficulty did he return home—so unrecognizable that his own family couldn’t identify him.

Begging in India: Industry, Not Just Survival

India’s organized begging network is estimated to be worth over ₹1.5 lakh crore, involving millions—many of whom are victims of human trafficking and physical abuse. While the public sees beggars as helpless individuals, behind the scenes exists a sophisticated and brutal criminal industry. The victims are treated as commodities—bought, sold, and rented out. They are manipulated through injury, drugs, and psychological torture, ensuring continued control by mafia leaders.

Why Do People Beg in India?

According to a joint 2021 study by the Institute for Human Development and Delhi’s Department of Social Welfare, 62% of people beg due to poverty, 45% due to unemployment, 24% due to age or disability, and smaller percentages due to widowhood or addiction. However, not all begging is forced. Around 12% see it as “easy money,” while others beg due to habit, heredity, or religious reasons. Still, for most, it’s a last resort for survival.

Beggar Income in India: The Earnings and Exploitation

Despite common myths, most beggars earn very little. The study shows:

• 32% earn less than ₹100/day
• 33% earn between ₹100-₹200
• 22% earn ₹200-₹400
• Only 1% earn more than ₹400/day

Even these meager earnings often go to gang leaders. Many beggars don’t get to keep what they earn, as everything is collected by the mafia controlling them.

How the Begging Mafia in India Operates

These gangs target the most vulnerable: children, disabled, elderly, and women. Many are kidnapped or trafficked from rural areas. Some parents, desperate for survival, even rent out their children. Children are often sedated with opium or cough syrup to appear pitiful. Gangs map out territories—temples, traffic signals, train stations—and ensure their beggars are positioned for maximum income. If an outsider attempts to beg without permission, they are often attacked or driven out.

Abuse and Exploitation in Organized Begging Rackets

Stories like Suresh’s are horrifying but not isolated. Reports exist of children being deliberately injured or kept malnourished for maximum sympathy. Drug addiction is used to control beggars further. In some areas, even costumes are used to manipulate religious sentiments—Hindu robes at temples, burqas near mosques.

Begging Laws in India: Legal Framework and Loopholes

The Bombay Prevention of Begging Act (1959) criminalized begging but punished victims instead of perpetrators. In 2018, the Delhi High Court declared several sections of the act unconstitutional, emphasizing that poverty isn’t a crime. Yet, several states still criminalize begging. Despite occasional rescue attempts, government rehabilitation efforts often fail due to poor implementation.

Government Response to Begging in India

Facilities like Delhi’s Lam Pur Rehabilitation Center were established to shelter rescued beggars, but they remain underused and poorly managed. The 2020 pilot project to make 10 cities beggar-free included Indore and Mumbai, but implementation has been more about hiding the problem than solving it. Events like G20 summits or presidential visits often trigger mass detentions and relocations of beggars to maintain city image.

Solutions to India’s Begging Problem

1. Decriminalize Begging: Recognize beggars as victims, not criminals.
2. Improve Rehabilitation: Offer effective shelters with access to education, mental health support, and job training.
3. Crack Down on Gangs: Law enforcement must target traffickers and gang leaders, not victims.
4. Public Awareness: Educate people about the begging mafia and encourage responsible giving.
5. Support NGOs: Contribute to organizations working on rescue and rehabilitation.

How You Can Help End Begging in India

• Don’t give money to beggars, especially children. Instead, offer food or water.
• Report suspicious activity to local authorities—injured children, common handlers, or drug use.
• Support education programs and NGOs like Teach for India.
• Engage with beggars respectfully. Ask their name, hear their story—treat them as humans, not nuisances.

Conclusion

Behind every outstretched hand on the street could lie a story of pain, abuse, and exploitation. It’s time we stop seeing begging as a mere nuisance and start addressing it as the human rights issue it truly is. Recognize the victims, expose the exploiters, and most importantly—act with empathy.

I wrote this blog because I believe no human being should have to beg to survive. Behind every hand that asks for help is a story that deserves dignity, not neglect. I know that words alone may not change the world—but action can. This article is just one small step toward a vision I hold deeply: a world where compassion prevails over exploitation, and where every person has a fair chance at life. I want to give what I can, do what I can, and inspire others to do the same—because even the smallest act of kindness can create ripples of real change.

This article is inspired by Dhruv Rathee’s latest video on the beggar mafia, which powerfully highlights the scale and cruelty of this issue. You can watch the original video from his YouTube channel to explore more.