Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Child Care Organisation in association with Mangaluru Child-line organised an awareness campaign in Mangaluru City Corporation building on Thursday, September 29. The students of Besant College campaigned against using children for begging on the streets of Mangaluru.
Member of Legislative Council, Ivan D’Souza and Mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation, Harinath launched the campaign which was held simultaneously in 12 main areas of the city. A lot of passersby turned heads at these places as the students shouted slogans against child beggary.
Addressing the gathering of students and passersby, child helpline Head Rennie D’Souza said that there are a lot of beggars below the age of 18 who are entitled to get free education, food, clothing and books in Government schools. “They are minors and are not supposed to beg to get sympathy from the citizens of the city. The Government literally takes care of them in schools by providing everything that they need. As responsible citizens, we should not encourage beggary and at the slight sight of child beggars, it must be reported to the child helpline number immediately”, added Rennie.
Bound by the law
The law strictly condemns child beggary under 1975 Karnataka Beggary Prevention Act, Section 3. Under the same act, beggars of all ages can be imprisoned for three years. As per the 2015 Child Law Act Section 76, any individual involving in making children beg is viable to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5 Lakhs.
The child helpline number is 1098 (ten nine eight).
