Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (CLP)
Udupi, Oct 3: On the occasion of ‘World Elders’ Day’, Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag of Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi, organized a press conference at Vaikunta Baliga College of Law on Wednesday October 1.
Addressing the press conference, Dr Shanbhag said, “There have been 180 cases of cheating elders and looting of their property in Karnataka alone. They work throughout their life and it is our responsibility to protect their rights.”
“Human Rights Foundation, Udupi, has lodged a complaint six months ago with the sub-divisional officer at Kundapur on behalf of Savithri Amma, against her son. Now, the sub-divisional officer has ordered the property to be registered back in the name of Savithri Amma. She had to face tough times after been thrown out her house and had to depend on the free food offered by Sri Krishna Math of Udupi. After this news went viral, as many as 180 senior citizens have contacted the Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi, regarding their problems,” he added.
“We don’t have any motive to interfere in the family matters of others and we raise our voice only to secure the rights of parents and elders,” said Dr Shanbhag.
He also added that when parents or senior citizens are unable to sustain themselves from their assets, earnings, or savings, they should be looked after by their children by providing food, clothing, and shelter.
“In case the elders are issueless their legal heirs should look after them. If, in case, the children do not come forward voluntarily to take care of their parents or elders, then parents are free to lodge their claim for maintenance from the children by complaining to the Forum which has been set up for such purposes. It is upto the discretion of the Forum to decide on the quantum of such allowance. When the Forum receives petitions from parents or elderly people, they have to dispose off such cases within 90 days. The Departmental Head of the Social Welfare Office attached to each district is designated as the head of the Forum,” said Dr Shanbhag.
He also said that in case the person responsible for looking after the parents or elders discards or disowns them, the Forum is empowered to impose a fine up to Rs 5,000 and imprisonment of up to three months. It may be noted that the opposite party or the accused will not have the privilege of seeking a lawyer’s service.
“The law has provided that in case the parents or elders are handicapped or disabled senior citizens, who feel that they are being subjected to injustice, one can approach the Forum through NGOs,” added Dr Shanbhag.