BHOPAL, Feb. 6 -- A district administration ban on begging and alms-giving issued earlier this week is eliciting a mixed response from religious folks in the city who believe charity to be a means of atonement.
In its February 3 order, the administration cautioned city residents to refrain from alms-giving, as the practice may result in strict legal action against them.
Even if the administration seems determined to strictly implement the fresh orders, the move may have to overcome cultural hurdles, as all religions in our society place significant importance on charity.
The priest at Shri Banke Bihari Lal Ji Markandey Temple in Talaiya, Ram Narayan Acharya, says, "According to the scriptures, only Brahmins have the right to receive alms...