Mumbai: Flower seller dad forces son to hit street begging

In a time when parents are spending a hefty amount to secure the future of their children so that they can excel in every sphere of life, a man draged his child into the dark pits of poverty, helplessness, and begging.

One such upsetting incident has come to light after a 35-year-old man was arrested by the MHB Colony police for allegedly forcing his 8-year-old son to beg for food and alms in Borivali.

The accused, identified as Ramesh Kale, was arrested on Sunday after his son, who was found begging on the Sudhir Radke bridge in Borivali, was taken into police custody by a patrolling team. When the patrolling team questioned the boy, he told them how his father forced him to beg. Reportedly, the boy told the police that his father dropped him on the bridge at 10 am every day, and he begged till 6 pm. He would take away all the earnings.

According to the MHB Colony police, the city police has launched a campaign to curb begging by children at traffic signals. If any child is found begging, he or she will be taken into custody following which the cops would track down their employers and appropriate action would be taken against them.

For the same, teams have been formed which would patrol a particular jurisdiction. On Sunday, similar teams were formed and deployed at various junctions in Borivali where a team found the 8-year-old begging in front of cars and rickshaws on the said bridge at Devidas Road area, Borivali West.

"The kid, when found, was holding notes of Rs 10 and a few coins which he received in alms. Ramesh sells flowers at traffic signals, and since it was a Sunday, he forced his kid to go out and beg for food. Ramesh has been booked under section 11, 5 and 9 of The Bombay Prevention of Begging Act and section 24 of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act," said Pandit Thakare, senior police inspector of MHB Colony police station.

Speaking about the scenario of child begging, founder of NGO Prayas, Amod Kant told DNA, "The Juvenile Justice Act has very strict provisions to deal with offences like child labour, begging and individuals who employ kids and withhold their money for their use and also exploit them. Ones who indulge in such acts are liable to face prosecution. However, families, if found to be the employers, are given some concession since they need money to nurture their children.

Curbing the menace is not just the task of police; other officials and departments like Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Labour Inspector, Child Welfare Committee and NGOs should work together with cops and punish the culprits and help rehabilitate the victims. The arrest of parents is not the solution, but counselling them might prove to be helpful."