Justice Surya Kant cautioned that weakening family bonds and rising elder neglect signal a “civilisation tremor,” urging India to restore dignity, protection and emotional connection for its ageing population amid rapid social and digital changes.
Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant has expressed concern that India risks “losing the old world that kept us human,” highlighting the waning intergenerational bonds and calling for a revitalized social and legal commitment to uphold the rights of senior citizens.
Addressing issues like elderly individuals falling victim to digital fraud, being abandoned by family members, or becoming ensnared in protracted legal battles, Justice Surya Kant emphasized that the law should serve as a “renewing framework of dignity.”
His remarks came during a special session focused on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, attended by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar and Social Justice Secretary Amit Yadav.
In front of an audience that included law students, officials, and representatives from civil society, CJI-designate Surya Kant urged the nation to address the emotional, digital, and social vulnerabilities facing its aging population.
Describing this shift as a civilisation tremor, He remarked,
“Prosperity has silently replaced proximity. Migration has opened new worlds of work, yet closed the doors between generations,”
The judge highlighted that aging in India was traditionally viewed as a process of ascendance rather than decline, with elders acting as the “conscience of the narrative” within families and cultures.
However, he noted that modernity has weakened these structures.
He warned,
“We have gained new worlds but are in danger of losing the old one that kept us human,”
Recalling a recent case in which a widow battled for maintenance for nearly five decades, he mentioned that the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to restore her property.
He asserted,
“Justice demanded more than technical correctness, The promise of dignity does not expire with age.”
Justice Kant called for enhanced cooperation among the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), state legal services authorities, law enforcement, social welfare officers, and the Ministry of Social Justice to facilitate early intervention and prevent neglect before it escalates into litigation. He stressed, however, that no institution, regardless of its strength, could replace personal connections.
He urged the younger generation to play a vital role in this endeavor, whether by assisting with digital transactions, providing companionship, or ensuring that no elderly person “stands alone in a queue.”
Minister Virendra Kumar reaffirmed that the roots of Indian culture lie in respecting elders, who are the “foundation on which the building of society stands.”
He noted that urbanization and changing lifestyles have disrupted traditional family structures, leading to isolation for many parents.
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Kumar lamented that the concept of old-age homes is a Western import and not part of Eastern tradition. He shared experiences from a recent visit to an old-age home run by the Brahma Kumaris, where highly educated residents, including doctors and lawyers, found themselves isolated despite having children living abroad.
He stated,
“Money is necessary, but money is not everything,”
He also recounted stories where elderly parents transferred property to their children, only to face neglect down the line.
Kumar emphasized the government’s willingness to restore their rights but acknowledged that many mothers still say, “Do not file a case against my son,” indicating that affection perseveres even in suffering. He highlighted the importance of societal empathy alongside legal measures.
Describing the MWPSC Act as a “historic law” designed to protect dignity and self-reliance, Kumar urged communities to integrate senior citizens into daily life, asking,
“We plan picnics every month. But do we ever think of visiting an old-age home nearby and speaking to the elders there?”
He emphasized that a simple gesture, such as a conversation, can make seniors feel less alone.
Social Justice Secretary Amit Yadav pointed out that India is on the verge of a substantial demographic shift, with the elderly population expected to grow from 10.38 crore to 34 crore by 2050.
He asserted,
“The ageing must be accompanied not by vulnerability but by dignity, security, and meaningful participation,”
He noted that while the MWPSC Act implements the constitutional mandate under Article 41 for public assistance in old age, legal provisions alone cannot guarantee dignity.
Stressing that fostering a compassionate, responsibility-driven mindset within families is crucial, he emphasized,
“Laws must be lived and dignity must be felt,”
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Yadav identified the digital divide as an emerging challenge, exposing older individuals to fraud, exclusion, and misinformation as services transition online. He urged younger family members to take an active role in assisting with medical appointments, online services, welfare programs, pensions, and property-related matters.
Lastly, he highlighted the ministry’s memorandum of understanding with NALSA to expand legal awareness camps nationwide, stating that legal literacy will empower seniors to protect their property, obtain maintenance, and access grievance redressal mechanisms.