Vulnerability of the aged in india and their rights

Abstract

The aged constitute a vulnerable section of society, since they lose authority, live alone losing their spouses, often materially dependent, ailing and no more physically active. Frail health, ailments, loss of spouse, dispersal of family members, loss of economic independence and authority make the elderly “dependent”, “burden” and insecure. Atrocities, in the form of ill-treatment, cheating, robbing of property, infringement of rights, physical and mental harm, murder, and other forms of crime against the elderly by the family members and kin and by the larger society is common all over the world; India is no exception. When the families are smaller in size and the younger members disperse because of professional compulsions the elderly are left alone as the family support system grows weaker. The atrocities against the elderly, whose contribution to the society can hardly be overstated, and are rich in human resources, are being documented and reported in the “texts”. The global and national bodies, the academia and policy makers, are coming out with innovative ideas to address these problems. Drawing from the available studies I have, in the present paper, highlighted the nature of atrocities that are done to the elderly members in India and have reviewed the policies that have been put in place to address their problems and protect their rights. What matters in the present-day context is to give them their due and to protect their rights.