New Law required for legalizing Mercy Killing in India: Supreme Court

GOOD NEWS FOR US HUMANISTS & RATIONALISTS!

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE EUTHANASIA LEGAL IN OUR COUNTRY for the last eight years. Since the time when young Venkatesh from Hyderabad appealed for euthanasia to relieve him from pain and to donate his body parts for medical use, we have been writing on this matter.

At last Supreme Court is giving a serious thought to this sensitive issue.

New Law required for legalizing Mercy Killing in India: Supreme Court

Young Aruna

Aruna after 37 years

Aruna Shanbaug will live, as we still do not have a law to support mercy-killing. Only passive euthanasia is allowed on exceptional cases – says SC. It means, particularly on brain death, when the patient is in a permanent state of coma and is on life support, the life support system can be willfully discontinued and the person allowed to die. In case of Aruna, there was no life-support except feeding. She was supposedly not feeling any pain and the nursing home staff was taking good care of her free of charge. So there was no question of actively killing her. Fine.

But what about situations when the person concerned is in acute pain— and is able to express his or her will— and pleads for mercy-killing? Should we not consider the last wish of the person who is suffering? Is he not allowed to take his own decision regarding his own precious life?

WE THANK THE SUPREME COURT FOR GIVING THE QUESTION OF MERCY-KILLING DUE IMPORTANCE.

AND WE CONGRATULATE OUR MEMBERS FOR RAISING THIS ISSUE AS REALLY ESSENTIAL FOR A HEALTHY SOCIETY AND FOR KEEPING THE QUESTION ALIVE.

Let us start a debate afresh and expect logical answer to this old question.

HUMANISTS’ ASSOCIATION

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“The issue of euthanasia needs to be seriously debated.” – Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily

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KAUSIK SARKAR 8 March 2011 at 10:45 AM #

i thing it’s a very very good initiative.

rgds,

kausik sarkar/baranagar/kolkata
Dr Neha 9 March 2011 at 11:16 AM #

Good news. But a new set of guidelines is needed to prevent misuse of legal euthanasia before active euthanasia is also legalized in our country.
Madhusudan Mahato 14 March 2011 at 2:21 PM #

It is a small victory of SRAI and HAI. So,campaign is required more & more. —–Madhu, Purulia
bhutia 24 March 2011 at 5:30 PM #

it is indispensable.but prevent to use adequately before and after legalizing in our country.it require certain rule and regulation for its implementation. mingma………….
HUMANISTS' ASSOCIATION 26 March 2011 at 10:34 AM #

Bhutia- It is difficult to legalize ‘active euthanasia’ in India. It may not happen very soon. Here people neglect the old, they die without treatment. The masses are not mature enough to understand the ‘dignity’ of life or death. But the fact that the court has expressed the need to legalize passive euthanasia is a commendable step. At least it will give people the confidence not to go for unnecessary painful and prolonged suffering of their dear ones. I mean those who can afford such treatment should also rethink before sending their relatives to the ICCU,ventillator or for force-feeding. Old people would prefer to be in their homes– surrounded by loved ones. Using expensive and inffective methods are actually misusing scientific inventions to prolong a painful end, mostly recommended by nursing homes for their own profit. We should never fall prey to their traps for wrong sentiments.
Srishti Dewet 8 April 2011 at 1:12 AM #

Nice matter, and i stand in favour of Mercy killing —when we can give life -by various medicational facilities and even lead to help in birth then whats wrong in helping ppl die peacefully who die every day else?…….support the cause and help souls rest in peace …
himansu bhusan nayak 19 April 2012 at 11:01 PM #

mercy killing should be legalised in india in exceptional cases.In some situation it is better to die than to live in. BUT THE SAME MUST BE DECIDED BY A COMMITTEE
abhishek chauhan 16 May 2012 at 1:00 PM #

Iss pal pal ke marne se to accha hai ek hi pal me mukti.I am in favour of mercy killing.
Gaurav Sherma 28 August 2012 at 11:18 AM #

Mercy killing is good but if we can’t birth anybody than we can’t die anybody.
Mrs Kavita Sangrulkar 22 December 2012 at 11:22 AM #

ghut ghut ke jine se to marana achcha hi.
Paresh 5 January 2013 at 8:36 PM #

What is status of mercy killing law in India?
Arun 16 March 2013 at 7:38 PM #

Mercy killing is neccessary to die peacefully from pain , diseases and sufferings due to health and not to live with burden to others

I need mercy killing to get releif from pain , diseases and sufferings