India Facing a “Civilisational Tremor”: Justice Surya Kant Says We’re Losing the Old Values That Kept Us Human
Supreme Court Judge Surya Kant has issued a solemn warning over India’s shift in societal priorities, calling it a “civilisational tremor.” He cautioned that the erosion of care for older generations reflects a broader moral decline.
Speaking at an event on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, Justice Kant emphasized that modern life is supplanting empathy with convenience. He argued that as India grows more prosperous, we risk abandoning the “old world that kept us human.”
What’s Behind His Warning
- Generational stray: Kant said that older citizens are increasingly isolated, as children relocate, values shift, and intergenerational bonds weaken.
- Digital threats: He highlighted how the elderly are vulnerable to new forms of exploitation — including online frauds and financial abuse.
- Lack of emotional safety: Many seniors, he noted, suffer not from lack of amenities, but from deeper emotional neglect — feeling left behind, unheard, and unprotected.
Why He Believes Law Alone Isn’t Enough
Justice Kant stressed that legal safeguards, while essential, must be reinforced by compassion:
- Joint responsibility: He called on the judiciary, social services, and NGOs to form a coalition to better support aging citizens.
- Proactive protection: Rather than wait for elder abuse to happen, he urged institutions to step in early — before seniors suffer neglect or exploitation.
- Cultural revival: “We must restore respect for the older generation,” he asserted, noting that tradition should guide modern progress.
The Larger Risk
If current trends continue, Kant warned, India may not only break down on a social level, but also lose its ethical foundations. He compared the neglect of elders to a slow tremor, gradually destabilizing everything that made society humane and cohesive.
Final Thought
By calling this a “civilisational tremor,” Justice Surya Kant has made an urgent plea: As we embrace growth and modernity, we must not forsake the values that sustained us. Otherwise, we risk building a future that is technologically advanced — but morally hollow.
