Os
pedintes que costumam estar nas ruas num festival religioso no Sul da
China foram postos em jaulas para evitar que incomodem os visitantes que
se aglomeram à volta do templo de Nanchang, na província de Jiangxi.
Nas jaulas, similares às de um zoológico, os pedintes não podem
ficar em pé. Eles podem pedir esmola do ponto onde estão e são livres
para sair a qualquer momento, desde que não se misturem com os fiéis e
vão embora.
“Este ano nós decidimos que não vamos aceitar pedintes a andar por
toda parte, perturbando os nossos convidados”, explicou um organizador
do evento, de acordo com o “Daily Mail”.
De acordo com o organizador, os visitantes estavam a sentir-se cada
vez mais desconfortáveis com a ação dos pedintes. Por isso, foi adotada a
medida drástica.
Caged: Visitors to the town fair in Nanchang,
Jiangxi province walk past beggars in cages where they have been forced
to stay so as not to spoil the experience for tourists
The beggars on the streets that used to be a religious festival in southern China were put in cages to prevent disturbed visitors who throng around the temple of Nanchang, in Jiangxi province.
In cages, similar to a zoo, beggars can not stand. They can beg the point where they are and are free to leave at any time, provided they do not mingle with the faithful and leave.
"This year we decided that we will not accept the beggars walk everywhere, disturbing our guests," said an organizer of the event, according to the "Daily Mail".
According to the organizer, the visitors were feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the action of beggars. Therefore, the drastic measure was adopted.
is
better for them there than having to find a place on the busy streets.'
Behind bars: A woman is laughing with a young
child inside one of the zoo- like cages where beggars are kept during
the temple festival after organisers complained they 'spoil' the
celebrations
‘Our guests come here to enjoy themselves and that is our top priority.
‘The beggars can leave whenever they like but they have to leave the city too, they can't go into the fair,’ they added.
The cages have infuriated human rights campaigners in China who have branded them a human zoo saying it breaches human rights.
‘They are treating them like zoo animals. What will they have to do next - tricks for their food?,' one said. 'This is
nothing less than public humiliation.'
‘Do they want people to believe the
region has no poor people and just put on a good show? These people need
help. We should not be allowing them to be locked away in cages. These
people are human beings too.'
