MUST COURTS TEACH US THE ETHICS OF RELATIONSHIPS? A SIGN OF SOCIAL DECAY: LALIT GARG

MUST COURTS TEACH US THE ETHICS OF RELATIONSHIPS? A SIGN OF SOCIAL DECAY: LALIT GARG

26-MAY-ENG 14

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------The true identity of any civilization is not defined by its towering structures, gleaming thoroughfares, economic progress, or technological achievements; rather, it is determined by the degree of sensitivity it demonstrates toward its elders, parents, and vulnerable sections of society. However, the most distressing question of our times is this: in the very India that proclaimed the maxim "Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava" (Treat Mother and Father as God), and from whose soil the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (The World is One Family) spread across the globe, parents today are compelled to knock on the doors of courts merely to secure respect and shelter within their own homes. In recent years, the number of such cases in the country's courts has surged—instances where elderly parents have had to seek judicial intervention to secure protection, maintenance, housing arrangements, and property rights from their own children. In some instances, courts are directing sons to provide their elderly mothers with a room within the house, a separate bathroom, and basic amenities; in others, orders are being issued to evict abusive offspring from their parents' property. These are not merely legal occurrences; they serve as stark warnings of our social and moral decay—warnings that cast a grave shadow of doubt over the future trajectory of India.

Indeed, it is profoundly ironic that a mother—who carried her child in her womb for nine months to give it life, and who nurtured it by pouring out her very blood, affection, and self-sacrifice—is ultimately forced to seek the refuge of the courts simply to secure a place to live within her own home. Similarly, for a father—who built a home and shaped his children's future through the sweat of his brow and tireless labor—to require judicial intervention in his old age merely to assert his rights within that very home is a situation that signifies not merely individual ingratitude, but irrefutable evidence of the erosion of our collective social sensibilities. This issue assumes even greater significance given that India today is marching forward toward the vision of a "Developed India by 2047." We speak of economic growth, a digital revolution, smart cities, global leadership, and self-reliance; yet, amidst all this progress, the fundamental bonds of human relationships appear to be fraying. However, if elderly parents sitting in some corner of the house are living a life of loneliness, neglect, and humiliation, can this development truly be considered complete? If our elders become dependent on others—and neglected—even for their most basic needs, then all our achievements appear hollow.

The greatest challenge facing us today is not merely economic, but rather one of emotional poverty. A significant segment of the younger generation is becoming increasingly self-centered. Material achievements, career ambitions, consumerism, and the concepts of individual freedom have taken center stage in their lives. Joint families are disintegrating, the warmth of human relationships is fading, and digital media are replacing face-to-face communication. Consequently, the lives of the elderly are becoming synonymous with loneliness, depression, and insecurity. It is true that metropolitan life comes with its own set of difficulties. The demands of employment, time constraints, financial pressures, and changing lifestyles have certainly compounded the challenges faced by the younger generation. Yet, despite these difficulties, one’s obligations toward one’s parents cannot simply cease to exist. In Indian culture, serving one’s parents has never been merely a social custom; it has always been a fundamental life value. The ideal embodied by Shravan Kumar is not merely a fable, but an integral part of the Indian consciousness.

The unfortunate reality is that, today, material wealth and self-interest have corrupted numerous relationships. Newspapers frequently feature reports of parents being harassed, evicted from their homes, subjected to mental torture, or utterly neglected—all for the sake of property. Many old-age homes are filled with parents whose only "mistake" was that they dedicated their entire lives to raising their children. If this trend continues unchecked, India too may well head down a path where—much like in Western nations—the relationship between parents and their children becomes nothing more than a legal and formal arrangement. In Western societies, many parents encourage their children to become self-reliant from an early age, precisely because they do not expect to be cared for by them in the future. However, the foundation of Indian society has historically been quite different. Here, the family is not merely a biological unit, but a deeply emotional, cultural, and spiritual institution. It is also worth remembering that laws such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, have been enacted in the country to safeguard the rights of elderly parents. On numerous occasions, courts have upheld the property rights of parents and have even passed stern strictures against children who mistreat them. However, the law can offer only protection, not compassion. Courts can secure a roof over one's head, but not respect; they can order financial maintenance, but cannot restore affection and a sense of belonging. This is precisely why the solution must be not merely legal, but also social and cultural. It is essential to re-establish moral values ​​and *sanskars* within families. Providing children with high-quality education and modern amenities alone is insufficient; they must also be imbued with human values. Schools, religious institutions, and social organizations must undertake serious initiatives regarding themes such as the importance of family, service, gratitude, and respect for the elderly.

Today, there is a pressing need to designate "Respect for the Elderly" as a key indicator within the vision of a "Developed India by 2047." Only a nation where its elderly citizens feel safe, respected, and content can truly be deemed developed. We must formulate policies that prioritize the welfare, health, social security, and emotional well-being of the elderly. Furthermore, families must recognize that parents are not merely a responsibility; they are our very roots. A tree whose roots have withered cannot sustain green branches for very long. Neglecting one's parents constitutes a moral defeat—not merely for an individual, but for an entire generation. This, too, warrants reflection. It is worth noting that the very behavior a child displays toward their parents today may well become their own lot in the future. Children learn not merely through sermons, but through example. If they witness their parents neglecting the elderly, those same values—or lack thereof—will be perpetuated.

Today, the need is less for judicial decrees and more for an awakening of the conscience. If courts are required to expound upon the boundaries, dignity, and obligations inherent in relationships, this constitutes not merely a legal crisis, but a civilizational one. This is a time for introspection: are we, in our quest for technological modernity, becoming impoverished in our humanity? India’s true identity has always resided in its sensitivity. Only if we can preserve this sensitivity will the dream of a developed India truly be realized. Otherwise—amidst towering achievements and grand schemes—a neglected elderly person sitting in some forgotten corner of our homes will stand as a silent question mark over all our progress. Ultimately, we must remember: true inheritance consists not of material assets, but of values; progress is measured not by buildings, but by relationships; and no society can ever be deemed truly great if parents are compelled to stand in courts to assert their rights.