Gurugram, 16/07/2021
A group of millennials have filed a petition with the Delhi High Court to restrict the number of “uncles” in a residents association as they are making the lives of other younger residents difficult with their rules and regulations.
The term “uncle” is being used by the petitioners to describe retired men over the age of 55 who are usually homeowners within the same residential complex. By restricting the number of uncles in the association, a more objective association can function taking into consideration the issues faced by the younger generation.
One of the petitioners told us, “It is a classic case of feeling irrelevant. Most of these uncles had highly respectable careers and were at the top of their companies. Once they retire, they have nothing to do. So they join the association in the hope to have some kind of social life.”
“The decisions they take are purely based on what they think is right. For example, returning after 11 pm is not allowed only because they go to sleep before that. They think that no one else needs to be awake after that. This is a kind of moral policing in a way. What makes them different from VHP or Bajrang Dal members?”
Another petitioner felt that it was more of an emotional issue. “All these uncles have sons and daughters who do not live with them. They are no longer able to enforce rules and control their lives. So, they take it out on us and try and control ours.”
The court is yet to decide whether they will hear the petition.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://thedailyvanilla.com/2021/07/16/petition-filed-to-restrict-number-of-uncles-in-resident-and-housing-associations/