Those Who Abandoned Us Now Want to Celebrate My Success, How Should I Respond?

I recently cracked an exam and got into a very prestigious institute in the country. As far as I know, no one in my district has cleared it before.

Now, here’s the thing:

A few years back, my father abandoned my mother and me. At that time, no one—not even someone from our caste or our relatives helped us. We were completely on our own. Now that I have gotten into one of the finest institutes in the country, things have changed.

My father is wealthy and comes from one of the most influential families in our caste, with strong political connections. Our family case has been going on for nearly a decade. He even married another younger woman without divorcing my mother. Despite all this, no one from our Samaj or our relatives helped us. Not a single person.

I’m not being arrogant or trying to brag about my achievement. In fact, I’m very humbled by this opportunity. I truly have no one from whom I can seek advice, so I’m sharing the whole background to better explain my situation.

My Question:

• Now, everyone is congratulating me, even those who hated my mother for not giving my father a divorce and said she should accept his second wife. How should I respond to them?

• People are asking me to come meet them, and they want to do an honor ceremony or celebration. These are the same people who told us to accept my father’s second wife and live with them peacefully after throwing us out of our house.

• Should I accept these gestures, or should I do the opposite and confront them, saying, “You were the ones who made my life hell, and now you’re claiming the whole caste is proud of what I’ve achieved?”

Please Give Serious Advice.