KURNOOL: Kurnool district authorities launched a swift operation to combat child begging after HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh responded to a viral video showing a child in a dazed state at Dress Circle in Kurnool city.
The video, shared by netizen Santhosh Kumar, triggered public outrage and prompted the Minister’s immediate intervention on the platform X (formerly Twitter).
Expressing his concern, Minister Lokesh wrote, “This is heartbreaking. Every child deserves safety, love, and dignity. We will locate this child and ensure they receive protection and care. Those responsible will be held accountable.” He also pledged to work with authorities to prevent such incidents and promote safe and nurturing environments for children.
Responding to the Lokesh’s remarks, the district administration conducted a citywide drive to identify and rescue children involved in begging. Several children were traced and presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for assistance. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, the rescued children were placed in Child Care Institutes for rehabilitation, where they will receive necessary support and education.
CWC Chairperson S Zubaida Begum emphasised the importance of shielding vulnerable children from exploitation. “Our focus is on ensuring these children have a secure environment and opportunities for a better future,” she said. She also appealed to parents to prioritise education over sending children to beg, highlighting that over 70% of child beggars belong to economically distressed families.
As part of the operation, district officials counselled parents to understand the long-term harm of child begging and stressed the importance of education. Authorities pledged to intensify their crackdown on the issue while focusing on providing food, shelter, and access to schooling for affected children. The administration reiterated its commitment to protecting children’s rights.