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Maintenance under Muslim Law
Under Muslim law, maintenance is known as Nafaqah. Muslim law does not have any written and enacted statute for maintenance of parents by children. Children have a duty to maintain their parents if the parents are unable to support themselves. Both sons and daughters, whether adults or minors, are responsible for maintaining their parents if they have sufficient property and means. If the children are unable to provide maintenance or have passed away, the responsibility can extend to the grandchildren.
Under Hanafi law, if a child has the means to maintain only one parent, the mother is given priority over the father.
Maintenance under Christian and Parsi Law
Christian and Parsi personal laws do not have specific provisions for the maintenance of parents. However, parents who are unable to support themselves can claim maintenance under Section 144 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), or the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
