Join the Movement

In a harrowing display of cruelty, a video that has now gone viral captured a shocking scene—a son brutally beating his elderly parents with a chappal on the streets of Srinagar. This heart-wrenching act of violence has left the community stunned, raising a painful yet urgent question: how have we, as a society, fallen so far? Have we grown so indifferent, so disconnected from our own humanity, that a child can beat his parents in the open street, with cruelty that strips away every semblance of respect?

The case has been registered against this “son,” but the question lingers like a wound that won’t heal—how can something so terrifying even happen? Even if one were to entertain the notion, for the sake of argument, that the parents had been unfair at some point, does that justify such monstrous behaviour? Nothing—absolutely nothing—on the face of earth can ever validate raising a hand to one’s parents. To do so isn’t just an act of violence; it’s a betrayal of the deepest bonds of love and respect.

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated case. As a geriatrician, I hear the quiet sobs of many elderly patients who confide in me about the maltreatment they suffer from their adult children. These stories are whispered in shame, hidden from the world because parents, with hearts larger than the oceans, cannot bear to see their children in trouble. "How can we reveal the indifference and abuse to the world that we face at the hands of my children whom we raised through hardship, sacrifice and love?" they ask. This selfless love is mistaken by adult children as a sign of weakness, giving them a false sense of entitlement to treat their elderly parents poorly.

There is an urgent need to educate both parents and their adult children about the legal, religious, and moral rights of the elderly. Children living in their parents' homes are there by grace—not by entitlement. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 exists to protect the rights and dignity of our senior citizens. This law mandates that children provide food, clothing, residence, and medical care for their ageing parents, with penalties for those who fail to uphold these responsibilities.

We are drifting from the ethical compass that once defined us. In Islam, the honour of parents stands next only to the worship of Allah. The Qur'an reverberates with the command to serve and care for one’s parents. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother,” a reminder that the path to righteousness is paved with respect and devotion to our parents. To harm them, to even speak harshly to them, is a grievous sin—one that shakes the foundations of both morality and faith.

Recently, another tragic case surfaced from Ganderbal—a father, abandoned by his three sons, was forced to take refuge in an old-age home. What kind of society have we become, where the womb that bore you and the hands that once guided your first steps are now left to wither in isolation and neglect? These cases are not mere incidents—they are symptoms of a decaying social fabric.

Recognising the rising tide of elder abuse, Greater Kashmir and the Moul Mouj Foundation have launched a bold awareness campaign—STOP ELDER ABUSE. We urge every stakeholder to join hands in this movement, to share their stories, their pain, and their hope. Please reach out to us at ask@moulmoujfoundation.org or WhatsApp us at 6005463346. This isn’t just a campaign; it’s a movement to restore dignity, respect, and love to the people who deserve it most.

Dr Zubair Saleem is Senior Citizens Specialist