‘Begging to survive, not to earn': Study reveals why Mumbai's homeless are forced to beg

Indian Express

2 days ago

A study of over 500 individuals living on the streets of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai conducted by The Koshish Trust, highlights that, for most, begging is not a choice but a last resort in the face of destitution. The survey's findings show 391 respondents rejecting the notion that begging yields substantial earnings, and 285 strongly disagreeing that it is easy money. More than 200 respondents countered the widespread assumption that people who beg are simply unwilling to work. The report challenges deep-rooted misconceptions surrounding begging – a criminal practice in the eyes of the law.
While preparing the report, I Exist: People's Narratives of Living in Destitution, the researchers spoke to 504 individuals, including 290 women, 204 men, and 10 transgender persons, living and surviving on the streets of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
The Koshish Trust works to address homelessness and destitution and has been a key advocate for reforming anti-beggary laws in India, emphasising dignity and rehabilitation over criminalisation. It has challenged legislation like the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, which criminalises destitution.
Among the voices documented is Aamir, a frail 62-year-old man who sits outside a dargah in Mumbai. 'I feel immense shame. I have to die seventy times a day. It would have been better if Allah had granted me death,' Aamir, who once worked at catering sites and supported a family, is quoted in the report. After his wife passed away, his sons mistreated him, leading Aamir to choose the harsh life of the streets. Today, he earns merely Rs 100 to Rs 150 a day, sitting for 12 to 15 hours outside the dargah.
Mohammad Tariq, Founder-Director, The Koshish Trust, says, 'The primary objective of this work was to document original voices and bring them to the common citizen, in hopes of changing how people perceive those who beg for survival.'
He further says, 'It is often assumed that destitute individuals do not want to work. But a closer look at their stories reveals social, economic, and emotional barriers. To be employable, one needs not just skills and willingness, but documents, references, and hygiene. Even if a homeless person wants to work to transform their life, is society ready to give them that chance?'
Tariq emphasises the need for community empathy to break the cycle of poverty. He highlights the 'invisibility' of these citizens, noting that they exist beneath even the poverty-stricken strata of society – groups that are at least acknowledged within the social structure.
While many may label their unhygienic conditions as a convenient way of keeping up the look, the study report debunks a prevalent myth that homeless individuals spend less on their needs. 'A person without a home incurs significantly higher costs for even the most basic necessities. Daily activities that housed individuals take for granted – bathing, using a toilet, eating, and accessing drinking water – become financial burdens for those on the streets,' the report states.
This is echoed by study data, where 229 respondents cited affordability as the biggest barrier to cleanliness. 'Public bathing facilities, where available, charge Rs 20-30 per bath. Add to this the cost of laundry and soap, and monthly hygiene expenses quickly become unaffordable,' states the report. Another 121 individuals reported difficulty accessing public toilets.
Twenty respondents, particularly women, revealed that they deliberately remain unclean as a defence against sexual harassment. 'They spoke of using dirt as armour, of deliberately cultivating uncleanliness to ward off the predatory gaze of men,' the report states. A total of 66 respondents said they live in constant fear of abuse.
The report emphasises that destitution erodes an individual's identity and emotional well-being. Contrary to the stereotype that those who beg are indifferent to humiliation, 325 respondents said they feel deeply hurt by the judgment they face. Another 317 reported intense helplessness, while 252 described feelings of humiliation from being treated as less than human. Only 48 respondents said they felt unaffected by others' perceptions.
Shama, who has sat outside the Haji Ali Dargah for over nine years, is another voice in the report. 'It's hard to describe what I felt the first time I sat here,' says Shama, once a hopeful bride from a small village in Uttar Pradesh. Her now estranged husband had brought her to Mumbai with promises of a better life. 'Whoever is sitting here has nothing. Everyone is subduing their conscience and begging just to survive,' she further says. Despite her despair, she hopes her daughter, who studies at a nearby madrassa, will one day have a better life.
The survey reveals that, despite their dire circumstances, many destitute individuals continue to nurture aspirations. As many as 156 respondents expressed a strong desire to improve their children's education, seeing it as a way out of poverty. Another 146 hoped for a better standard of living for their children.
A sense of resignation is also evident, with 216 respondents saying that they no longer have any expectations from the state or society.
Another compelling voice in the report is that of Rupa Kale, 30, who was born on the streets near Colaba Market and remains homeless to this day. Her father migrated to Mumbai from Solapur in 1975 after a devastating drought, surviving by selling small items on the street. However, after the 26/11 attacks led to a ban on street vending near the Gateway of India, Rupa had no choice but to turn to begging.
Her experience is far from unique. The survey found that 34 respondents had been harassed or evicted by authorities. While society often paints the homeless as problematic or lazy, the survey shows that many are trapped by circumstances. For example, 118 respondents cited serious health issues as contributing factors, and 48 had suffered accidents.
'The central purpose of doing this exercise was to listen to and document the lived experiences of people in destitution, and more importantly, the way they want to tell their stories. Unlike research studies, this report is a people's narrative about their lives. It's done with the hope that we attempt an honest reflection on why people live such difficult lives,' Tarique says.