Concealing Hyderabad’s beggars during Ivanka Trump’s visit is insensitive, meaningless

Temporarily moving out from sight underprivileged people who seek alms for a living is not the solution — it’s not even a temporary one. Instead of treating them as eyesores, governments must enable them with tools that can take them away from begging, and help live a better life.

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which will be held in Hyderabad from November 28 to 30, will see a galaxy of dignitaries, among them Ivanka Trump, the daughter of United States President Donald Trump.

To ensure that the summit, being held in South Asia for the first time, is a success, the authorities are going the extra mile. But they seem to be going about this in a most insensitive manner.

In an order passed last week, the Hyderabad police commissioner banned begging within the city limits till January 7, during which time the capital city will also host the World Telugu Conference and the Indian Science Congress.

The commissioner’s order states that begging at main road junctions is dangerous to the safety of the vehicular traffic and public in general. Now that’s a revelation! What kept the officials from realising this till now? Or, will begging be less dangerous two months from now? The Hyderabad police posted on social media photographs of its efforts to make the city beggar-free.