Reports wont do,act on Vrindavan widows plight

Subsequently,the Bench passed directives for implementation by the UP government.

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

Moved by the plight of widows of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh,the Supreme Court on Friday asked all public authorities to shed their bureaucratic approach and take immediate steps to help them have at least the basic requirements like food and hygienic living conditions.

Displeased that there were merely reports and recommendations but no real work on the ground,the court said the authorities must show willingness to ameliorate the distressing conditions of these widows. There will be one hundred reports and recommendations but they are worth nothing if they do not give workable solutions. A bureaucratic approach will not help and your governments officers will have to step out of office and visit these shelter homes where they are currently lodged. Sending reports to this court will mean nothing if there is no implementation. Some practical approach will have to be adopted, said a Bench of Justices D K Jain and Madan B Lokur.

Terming as peculiar and fortunate the customs in India where people organise langars etc to feed others,the court said several people in this country were willing to help these widows and hence the governments officials required to look beyond documentation and reports.

The court,which had fixed the matter for passing interim directives,then took on record the suggestions given by the National Legal Services Authority and also the measures to be taken by the state government.

Subsequently,the Bench passed directives for implementation by the UP government. The government has agreed to appoint a doctor and his team to visit the four shelter homes,currently housing the widows,on a regular basis. The court asked Vrindavans CMO to ensure deputing a medical team for their aid. The officer has also been directed to guarantee respectable last rites of these women,many of whom are aged above 80 and ailing.

During the proceedings,the Bench also pulled up the National Commission for Women and its UP counterpart for their apathy to the pitiable condition of the widows.