A Father’s Fight for His Daughter That Transformed India’s Mental Health Law

Laws are often born in legislatures, but some of the most transformative reforms emerge from personal pain and perseverance. India’s Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, one of the country’s most progressive social legislations, owes its existence to the relentless struggle of a father fighting for dignity, care, and rights for his mentally ill daughter.

That father was Amrit Kumar Bakshi, whose journey from caregiver to policy influencer reshaped India’s mental health framework.

When a Personal Tragedy Became a Public Cause

The story began in 1991, when Bakshi’s daughter, Richa, began showing symptoms of schizophrenia. The family’s search for medical help in Mumbai revealed a harsh reality—lack of proper diagnosis, inadequate treatment options, and deep-rooted stigma surrounding mental illness.

As Richa moved to Vadodara for higher studies, her condition deteriorated rapidly. Relatives distanced themselves, neighbors grew fearful, and the family faced social isolation. Bakshi’s wife gave up her job to become a full-time caregiver, highlighting the immense emotional and economic burden borne by families of persons with mental illness.

From Caregiver to Change-Maker

Hope emerged when the family shifted to Pune, where Richa was admitted to the Schizophrenia Awareness Association (SAA)—an institution focused on rehabilitation and community-based care rather than confinement.

Living alongside his daughter during her treatment, Bakshi became actively involved in SAA’s work. Over time, he assumed leadership roles and eventually became its President. Under his guidance, the organization emphasized that mental health recovery requires community support, dignity, and legal safeguards, not isolation.

Pushing for Legal Reform

Years of caregiving exposed Bakshi to the systemic failures of India’s mental health laws, which were still governed by the Mental Health Act of 1987—a law widely criticized for its custodial approach and weak rights protection.

In 2010, a committee led by the Indian Law Society, Pune, was tasked with reviewing the existing legislation. As SAA President, Bakshi was closely involved in the deliberations. The committee soon concluded that minor amendments would not suffice—India needed an entirely new mental health law.

Bakshi played an active role in drafting the Mental Healthcare Bill, presenting recommendations before the Parliamentary Standing Committee and advocating for a rights-based, patient-centric legal framework.

Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: A Paradigm Shift

The Bill was introduced in Parliament in 2013, and Bakshi was invited as a member of the expert group appointed by the Government of India to frame the rules and regulations. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, passed by Parliament, marked a historic shift in India’s approach to mental illness.

Key Provisions of the Act:

• Recognition of mental healthcare as a legal right
• Ban on Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for minors
• Strict standards for hygiene, documentation, and infrastructure in psychiatric facilities
• Emphasis on informed consent, dignity, and community-based rehabilitation

Beyond the Law: A Legacy of Advocacy

In 2016, Bakshi authored the book “Mental Illness and Caregiving”, one of India’s earliest practical guides for families caring for persons with mental illness. The book further strengthened awareness and advocacy around mental health care.

Why This Story Matters

The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, is not just a statute—it is a reminder that citizen-driven advocacy can reshape national policy. From a father’s anguish to a country’s legal reform, Amrit Kumar Bakshi’s journey underscores how empathy, persistence, and lived experience can bring about systemic change.

For UPSC, PSC aspirants, and students of Indian polity, this law represents a crucial shift toward rights-based social legislation—and a powerful example of how individual voices can influence national governance.