Indore Becomes First Indian City To Ban Begging

In an effort to make Indore beggar-free, the district administration announced on Monday that it will register FIRs against individuals giving alms to beggars starting January 1, 2025.

District Collector Asheesh Singh informed the media that the administration had already issued a formal ban on begging in the city. He added, “Our awareness campaign against begging will continue until the end of December. From January 1, anyone caught giving alms will face an FIR.”

Singh urged residents not to participate in the “sin” of giving alms, explaining that it encourages begging and makes beggars dependent on it. He also revealed that recent investigations had uncovered organized gangs exploiting people for begging. The administration has been working to rehabilitate many of the individuals involved in begging.

Indore is one of 10 cities selected for a pilot project under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aimed at making the cities beggar-free.

The district administration has been conducting continuous search and rescue operations to assist beggars in the city. In September, they rescued 12 beggars from Khajrana Temple Square. Just days earlier, they rescued 10 beggars and 4 children from the Annapurna Temple area. The administration also rescued 12 beggars from Balaji Temple near the zoo.

Vansh Negi