The government of Bihar recently made it a non-bailable offense to abandon one’s elderly parents. TG Life asked Goans across all walks of life what they thought of the step, and how it affects the society
JAY JOSHI
According to recent news reports, the state government of Bihar has made it a non-bailable offence to abandon one’s elderly parents. According to 2011 census, elderly people, numbering around 103.9 million, constitute around 8.5% of total Indian population. By 2050, the number is projected to reach around 325 million, making around 20% of the total national population.
The traditional Indian joint family setup is designed to take care of the elderly, but with that structure slowly breaking up into nuclear families, elderly people are facing a number of concerns.There are of course a number of old age homes that help and support the elderly, but being separated from the family is quite a sensitive issue . the law passed by Bihar government might be designed to ensure that the elderly get the elderly get the family love they deserve, but how is the law being perceived by people is the key question. On that front, most people welcomed the development, stating that Goa too could have such provisions, but warned that this law should not be misused.
“We are living in times when such a law has to be made. “ said Sameer Kamat, a corporate HR manager from Sanvordem.
“For any middle-aged man or woman, it is their duty to take care of the family on both sides-their children, and the elderly. However, nowadays people have become selfish, and their definition of family is limited to ‘me, my wife, and my kids’. Passing the law is a good measure, but some way has to be found to eradicate this selfish attitude, and underline that keeping all generations of the family together under one roof is important.” said Kamat.
On the other hand, Milan Desai, a retired technician who now lives in Pune cited a different side of the issue. “I had to enroll my mother-in-law in an old age home as we simply lacked the time and manpower to care for her.” said Desai. “With my husband working in Mumbai, and myself with two kids in Goa, there were simply no people, and it wasn’t practical to hire a care-giver as we had to set aside money for the education of kids.” she added, underlining that the step taken by Bihar government is a welcome development which will help check instances where the elderly are ill-treated.
Reacting on the issue, Volunteers at the Sneha Mandir old age home in Ponda asserted that the popular perception that most elderly people end up in old age home only after they are abandoned, is wrong.
“A considerable number of people who come to us, come out of their own free will.” said a volunteer, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “We also work to provide help to elders who face issues with their family. When family members bring elderly people to us, we first offer counselling, and ask them to resolve their issues amicably, telling them that we at Sneha Mandir do not work to break up families. We only take in the people who are truly in need.” the volunteer stated.
Panaji-based lawyer Advocate Omkar Kulkarni also welcomed the step, but warned that the provision should not be misused. “It is said that at least around 10,000 cases filed by women under Domestic Violence act were false.
Something similar should not happen with this provision too.” said Kulakrni. “When you make a provision, you are giving the society a weapon. So, there have to be checks and balances to ensure that it is not misused.
That said, the key question is how many elderly parents will come forward to report ill-treatment by their own children. In a country such as India where parents love their kids boundlessly, this looks difficult.” the advocate averred.
