ST Advisory for the Protection and Rehabilitation ofImpoverished, Uneducated Children, Women, and Differently-abled Individuals Engaged in Begging As per the 2011 census, there were more than 413 thousand beggars and vagrants in India. The presence of individuals engaged in beggary serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by marginalised and vulnerable communities. Beggary is not just a result of poverty, but it is a socio-economic problem, where people are forced to beg to eke out their livelihood due to the absence of education and employment opportunities. It is a social issue that is prevalent in the urban areas of many countries. In both cities and smaller towns, many individuals, including women, children, transgender and elderly, are forced to beg for survival. Further, as a result of societal neglect, physically chal lenged individuals have no choice but to depend on others for survival and daily sustenance. However, beneath the surface of poverty lies a humanitarian crisis where the dignity and rights of these individuals are compromised. While traditional views might blame begging on individual failings, a closer look reveals systemic deficiencies and structural inequalities that As per the Section 2{l)(i) of Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, begging is defined as- (a) Soliciting or receiving alms, in a public place w/hether or not under any pretence such as singing, dancing, fortune telling, perform ing or offering any articleforsale; (b) entering on any private premises for the purpose ofsoliciting or receiving alms; (c) exposing or exhibiting, with the object of obtaining or extorting alms, any sore, wound injury, deformity of diseases whether ofa human being or animal; (d) having no visible means ofsubsistence and wandering, about or remaining in any public place in such condition or manner, as makes it likely that the person doing so exist soliciting or receiving alms; (e) allowing oneselfto be used as an exhibitfor the purpose ofsoliciting or receiving alms; perpetuate poverty. To address these issues, a but does not include soliciting or receiving money or food or given for a purpose authorizes by any low, or authorized in the manner prescribed by [the Deputy Commis sioner or such other officer as be specified in this behalfby the ChiefCommissioner^ comprehensive approach is needed, including social welfare interventions, access to basic facilities, strong legal frameworks and enforce ment to protect their rights and help them reintegrate into society. The soul of the Constitution of India is the Preamble which postulates amongst others, 'Justice - social, economic and political', and 'Fraternity, assuring the dignity of the individ ual'. In conformity with the solemn ideas enumerated in the preamble. Article 21, read with Article 23 of the Constitution, mandates the State to uphold the fundamental rights of the citizens by ensuring that no person shall be deprived of his life and dignity. Additionally, the State should strive to prohibit all forms of human trafficking, beggary and forced labour by enacting penal laws in case there is any contra vention of such prohibition. Similarly, as per Section 2(8) of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 'Begging'means — (i) soliciting or receiving alms in a public place or entering into any private premises for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms, under any pretence; (ii) exposing or exhibiting with the object of obtaining or extorting alms, any sore, wound, injury, deformity or disease, whether of himself or of any other person or ofan animal".