Maternity leave in private medical college

[aparna]

Hi..i was working in a private medical college in kerala ..i was 8 months pregnant when i approached the management for maternity leave ..i have worked there for 8 months beforethat ..they denied me maternity leave and benefits ..am i not eligible for it in private organization ..there was nothing mentioned about maternity leave in the contract . please help ..i don't have any evidence that they have denied except for my resignation letter where i stated that i an leaving because i am not given these benefits