Begging as Kanjak on Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route
Jagran correspondent, Jammu. The dark truth of forced begging from children in the form of Kanjak (girl worshiped as a goddess) on the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route has been exposed. A girl told that she was forcibly made to sit to ask for money from the devotees.
Video of girls begging goes viral
Actually, a devotee who had come for the darshan of Maa Vaishno had shared the video on social media after talking to a girl, in which it was seen that some girls were being made to ask for alms by wearing a red chunri around their neck and a red patta on their head.
At the age when innocent girls should have been in school, they are standing barefoot on the cold floor in the harsh winter, begging for a few rupees. At the same time, the devotees who give money to these girls in the form of Kanjak are also knowingly or unknowingly increasing the practice of begging.
Questions raised on the role of local administration
In the past few years, the number of people begging has increased rapidly and more than 100 girls are seen begging in the name of Kanjak on the Yatra route. Besides, girls are also being asked to beg in the base camp Katra. This incident brought the role of NGOs, Social Welfare Department, Police Administration and Shrine Board into the dock.
When the video of the incident went viral, the police swung into action and the girls were sent to a shelter home. The enforcement wing of the Shrine Board has also increased strictness in this matter.
Who are the people who make girls beg?
However, begging still continues in Katra. Along with children, elderly people are also seen begging. But the administration is maintaining silence on who are the people who force girls to beg?