Question

Do you think that begging on a subway should be a criminal offense or people have a right to ask for money?

Answer 1

Begging is a social and economic evil that mainly emerges from macro economic problems such as unemployment, poverty and malnutrition. People resort to begging on the subway or street side due to prolonged unemployment and financial crisis. Begging on public places such as subway is declared illegal in many countries. The Federal Appeal court banned begging on the New York city subway and said begging is not a constitutional right of citizens. However, there is no imprisonment for persons who violate the law and begs on subways and street side. We see begging mostly in the developing countries as macroeconomic problems such as unemployment, malnutrition, poverty etc is more vigorous in developing countries than rich and developed countries. However, it is also true many individuals also consider begging as secured way of earning money and they beg on streets, roadside and other public places to earn some money without doing any physical efforts. But it is also true that by making begging as a criminal office by the government will increase criminal activities such as theft, plundering and frauds. It is therefore, essential that both society and government should collectively draw up plan that ensures a guaranteed job or fixed amount for persons that belong to poor and deprived sections of the society. Both government and non government organizations should also organize the social awareness compaigns on begging so that people know about ill effects of begging and refrain from doing that practice to earn money.