Article
Rights and Dignity of Senior Citizens in Madhya Pradesh: A Quantitative Study of Legal Awareness, Welfare Access, and Dignity Violations
The population of older persons is increasing in India, including in Madhya Pradesh. Older persons, aged 60 years and over, constitute an important part of our society who have played a crucial role in the country's growth and development. But as they age, they increasingly encounter problems in the areas of their rights, dignity and welfare. Despite the shield of protection provided to senior citizens under the Indian Constitution and other statutory laws, the reality is quite different (and often disheartening) in states such as Madhya Pradesh. This article outlines the results of a quantitative structured study in Madhya Pradesh to examine the awareness of senior citizens about legal provisions, the nature and extent of violations of their dignity, and their access to government welfare schemes. The paper is based on a research study conducted in Madhya Pradesh with 300 respondents (urban and rural) using a validated structured questionnaire.The study findings indicate that most older persons are unaware of major laws, such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and state policies. Rural India experiences a higher incidence of violations of dignity, such as verbal abuse, psychological neglect, financial exploitation and lack of medical care. A multiple regression analysis reveals that income, education and awareness of rights are the most significant predictors of dignity and well-being for older persons. The chi-square tests also confirm a significant association between place of residence and violations. The study ends with policy implications to close the loop between law and practice for the elderly in Madhya Pradesh.