Legalizing Euthanasia

There is an old woman who lives opposite my building who every morning would sit on the cot outside her ground floor flat for sometime lost in her thoughts unaware of the world outside. The old lady with short hair wearing a nightgown all the time takes the food offered by her daughter-in-law and looks into her surroundings. She cannot walk properly as a result of swelling in her leg due to elephantiasis. She spends most of her time at home.

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When I see her, the only thought that comes to my mind is, is it worth living a life with no recollection of the life you once lived and being depended on others all the time. The old lady suffers from memory loss and does not remember much. There are others who have to be depended on their families all the time coz they suffer from illness or disease which make them unable to take care of themselves and move around.

Very few are lucky to have a family that takes care of their parents or their loved ones who become victims of such circumstances. How long should one fight the battle to live when you know that you never would be able to live a normal life and have to be depended on others for your needs. Would you choose to continue with your life or let yourself free from your physical self so that you can be at peace with yourself.

Would you choose premature death over natural death? Few years back an old man in Kerala had filed a petition in the court seeking euthanasia or mercy killing in other words. His contention was that he has achieved everything that he wanted in life, his children were doing well and that he would like to put himself to sleep permanently. Though the court rejected the petition, the person committed suicide afterwards. A husband from Bihar wanted to use assisted killing for his wife who has been in coma for a long time. His decision was based on his inability to pay towards his wife medical expenses after using up all his savings.

There is also the case of 25 year old K Venkatesh who had been suffering from muscular dystrophy from the age of 10, was bed ridden and wanted his life support to be taken off and donate his organs. Since our laws do not permit transplant of organs before one is brain dead, his offer to donate was rejected. He died a natural death.

There is a still debate going on whether to legalize euthanasia or not in India. Countries like Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and certain states of the US allow certain forms of euthanasia. Many account it to committing murder under legal sanctity. Others consider it as an outlet to let the soul free of its physical existence.

We have to decide if we should let people suffer or put an end to their pain. Time and time this issue has been argued in the court of law, but has not made any dent till now. This could change if the recent recommendation given by the Kerla law reforms commission gets the government’s nod which is in favor of allowing euthanasia.

Everyone has the right to live. So why don’t they have the right to die too? Would you prefer to live if you cannot take care of yourself and have to be depended on others leaving your fate in the hands of your families?