Court should help neglected parents
George Eliot said, “It cuts one sadly to see the grief of old people; they’ve no way of working it off; and the new spring brings no new shoots out on the withered tree.”
But what is one to say if the grief of old age is coupled with apathy shown by one’s own blood?
Seventy-three-year-old Kamla Sharma, a resident of west Delhi, says her son refuses to share his life and flat on the grounds that he has to look after his ailing wife and daughter.
The court, however, refused to pass any order on the appeal filed by Kamla and said while it is painful to observe that a son is not willing to look after her, no order can be passed saying he should serve her in her old age. We asked youngsters in the city if the court should make exceptions in special cases and they concurred that some cases need court’s special attention.
While it is sad that the old woman had to approach the court for a direction, one fails to fathom how can one turn back to those, who brought them to the world, at a stage when they need their support, care and love the most.
“It is the primary duty of the children to look after their parents in their old age. Old age comes to all. If you refuse to tend to your parents today, you will be rejected by your own children in your old age and it can get repeated for generations. That is why in India we have the family system in which the parents take care of their children and the children take care of their parents,” says Manan Tripathi, a social worker.
In India, we have to have a law so that senior citizens have a say and their rights can be protected until their death, feels Rahul Khandelwal, an IIT Delhi graduate, who chose to work with NGO and is now running an organisation called Unlearn Formulae. He says, “‘You and only you are responsible for what you are.’ A very true statement, I believe. Without knowing the 360 degree story, I can’t really say why the son is not willing to keep his mother with him. But respect is something which comes automatically and it is not asked for. We surely have responsibilities towards our parents and if we fail to perform them, law should come in the picture to ensure we do.”
Seconds Shirish Kumar, business analyst, “Judicary should be more actively involved in protecting the rights of the weak. Today the bond between a parent and a child has become fragile. Sentiments, attachment and care are being replaced by convenience. One can’t blame anyone or any one factor. There is a definite need for the law to play an important role in bailing neglected parents out.”
However, as they say, virtues like care and compassion can’t be enforced. “In this particular case, the son can be ordered to take care of his mother, but that would not ensure he continues to do so. What actually will go on afterwards is anybody’s guess. How far can the law keep babysitting?” asks Piyush Thakur, a finance professional.
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