The Supreme Court recently made a strong statement about the growing trend of political parties offering freebies before elections. During a hearing on the right to shelter for homeless people in urban areas, the court raised concerns about whether these freebies are discouraging people from working and creating a “class of parasites” in the country.
The bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih, pointed out that many people are receiving free ration and money without contributing to society. They questioned whether such schemes are helping people become part of the mainstream or simply making them dependent on handouts.
Justice Gavai specifically mentioned the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme in Maharashtra, where women aged 21-65 from low-income families receive Rs 1,500 monthly. He noted that similar schemes in other states are making people reluctant to work. “People are getting free ration and money without doing any work. Are we not creating a class of parasites?” he asked.
The court emphasized the need to balance welfare schemes with efforts to make people self-reliant. “Instead of just giving freebies, shouldn’t we focus on making them part of the mainstream and contributing to the nation’s development?” the bench added.
The Debate Over Freebies
Freebies have become a hot topic in Indian politics. While some argue that they provide immediate relief to the poor, others believe they discourage hard work and create dependency. The Supreme Court has now joined this debate, questioning the long-term impact of such schemes.
During the hearing, Advocate Prashant Bhushan argued that most people in India are willing to work if given the opportunity. However, Justice Gavai countered this by sharing his personal experience. “I come from an agricultural family. In Maharashtra, because of the freebies announced before elections, farmers are struggling to find laborers. People prefer to stay home and rely on free ration and money,” he said.
The Need for Balance
The court acknowledged the importance of providing shelter and basic necessities to the homeless. However, it stressed the need for a balanced approach. “Everyone agrees that the homeless need shelter, but should it not be balanced with efforts to make them self-reliant?” the bench asked.
Attorney General R Venkataramani informed the court that the Centre is finalizing an urban poverty alleviation mission to address issues like homelessness. The bench asked for a timeline and suggested that the Centre gather data from all states to tackle the problem on a national level.
Political Reactions
The issue of freebies has also sparked political debates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticized parties like the AAP and Congress for distributing “revdis” (freebies) to win votes. In response, these parties have accused the BJP of failing to address inflation and unemployment.
The Delhi High Court recently refused to hear a petition filed by former judge Justice SN Dhingra against freebies promised by political parties. The court advised him to approach the Supreme Court, as a similar case is already pending there.
News Article Reference: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-freebies-are-we-not-creating-class-of-parasites-top-courts-big-remark-on-freebies-7694511