Human rights in India a study of the elderly persons

Human rights are those rights that are inherent in our state of nature and

without which we cannot live as human being. Because these rights are

inherent in all human being, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, age,

sex, or nationality, they become operative with our very birth. The

human rights of the elderly person in the form of collective or group

rights have witnessed several international and national commitments,

and this study examines the human rights laws in upholding human rights

of the elderly persons. It also analyses the provisions of international law

and constitutional provisions in the realm of human rights of elderly

persons. It further analyses the domestic policies, statutory enactments

including provisions of Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizen Act

2007 in protecting the human rights of the elderly persons.

The methodology adopted for this study is both doctrinal and nondoctrinal

or empirical. In the doctrinal approach, the study is descriptive

and analytical based on both primary and secondary sources. Four survey

questionnaires were employed with the help of disproportionate random

sampling. The sample was selected with the help of convenience and

nomination. Thirty six old age homes were selected and responses were

received from one hundred fifteen participants for data collection.

Responses were also received from five academicians, ten learned

advocates and ten higher ranking police officers. Responses were also

received from twenty one geriatric specialists working in geriatric

hospitals.