- People in the know would be aghast at the turn of events being reported from across the country over reports of abuse in shelter facilities both run by government patronage and private entities, respectively. Especially, if the people are destitute, mentally unstable, and orphans singed from the unfortunate fate befalling upon them, then the matter certainly deserves the attention of the authorities concerned. As it is, social security measures meant to take care of the welfare of the downtrodden and poor citizens in the country are negligible even though talks abound. The resultant outcome is the lower strata of society are perennially at the receiving end of inequalities despite successive governments making efforts to uplift them.
PC: Freepik
- As such, the horror stories being reported from some of the shelter facilities across the country not only need to be addressed with utmost sincerity but also put in place waterproof mechanisms to deter the perpetrators from going scot-free. In the absence of deterrence, incidents of abuse and inhuman treatment are on the rise disturbing the conscience of the general public to no end. Mind you, by definition shelter homes, should be safe spaces for the most vulnerable people in society. However, the extreme vulnerability of such shelter home residents also means that if public oversight fails, they can as easily become victims of abuse. Undoubtedly, helplessness, a sense of loss, and a general feeling of despondency are bound to wreck one mentally.
- The recent incident reported from the Anbu Jothi Ashram in Tamil Nadu recalls the 2018 Muzaffarpur shelter home abuse case in Bihar – where the institution’s administrators got away with grave mistreatment of the residents’ thanks to a cordial relationship with local authorities. In the current case, residents’ complaints range from rape to being beaten, chained, and attacked by monkeys, no less. Sadly, these have only come to light because one of the relatives followed up with police doggedly, and when that didn’t serve, with the high court too. The home has been functioning without a licence for nearly two decades, keeping mental health patients, destitutes, and the elderly all jumbled together.
PC: Freepik
- Disgustingly, last year when the district mental health authority found the home did not have a psychiatrist or doctor despite habiting 180 men and women with mental illness, it didn’t even impose a fine, and just waited for a reply that never came. The district disability office likewise found shortfalls and today simply says, the home did not respond. Worryingly, how multiple authorities failed to protect the weak and the unwell in this case raises worries about what is going on at other shelter homes in the country licensed or unlicensed. It won’t be better for sure. Thus, the authorities should formulate a registry, guidelines, funding, and most importantly, enforcement to ensure destitutes are properly rehabilitated and accorded dignity.
