Unjustifiable moral lapse
It is the duty of parents to look after their children during their developing years; Likewise, it is also the duty of children to look after their parents when they reach the sunset years of life. This is a moral responsibility rather than a legal obligation. This is not something that should be done out of compulsion. Most families in our country are moving forward, fulfilling this moral responsibility. But there are exceptions. In abroad countries, there are government systems to accommodate the elderly. There are old-age homes in India too. Apart from that, old-age care centres are operating in the private sector. Children who are expatriates and those who have to stay away from home for work can rely on such centres to protect their parents.
Despite being given all these amenities, there has been a considerable surge in elder parents being forced to lead forlorn lives despite having financial stability. This is happening to elders whose children are still in the country and are financially well off. The High Court took a strong stand in this regard in a case the other day. The court pointed out that children cannot escape from this responsibility by citing excuses and justifications. Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered a person to pay his mother Rs. 5,000 per month after she filed a case seeking maintenance from her son, who was working in the Gulf.
Elderly women, even those living with their husbands, are entitled to demand maintenance from their children. The court also emphasised that it is the legal and moral duty of the children to provide maintenance to their mothers who do not have any income. The High Court's order dismissed the revision petition filed by a young man from Veliyamcode, Malappuram, against the Tirur Family Court order asking him to provide monthly maintenance to his mother. The son argued that his mother was into dairy farming and earning a good income from it. However, the court rejected these arguments and pointed out that the mother was entitled to receive maintenance from her children as per Section 144 of the BNSS. Moreover, the son's stance that his mother, who is over sixty, should live on her meagre income from raising cattle was deemed unfortunate by the court. Just because having a wife and children doesn’t strip anyone of the moral responsibility to take care of their parents.
The mother got justice because she approached the court seeking alimony from her son, who earns around Rs 2 lakh in the Gulf. Not every mother can afford to take their cases to court or raise their qualms. There are many parents in our society who silently endure neglect from their children. It is the greatest moral lapse when children, as they grow up, forget the hardships and sacrifices their parents endured to raise them. It is appalling and never justifiable to throw their parents away in their old age without looking back.