Euthanasia (Mercy killing)

Euthanasia means mercy killing it is also considered as criminal homicide as because the death of a person is not a natural death but he is killed with his consent. Thus euthanasia is always voluntary.

This concept is coined as when the right to life is given to the citizens then there should be right to death as well. However, in India as judiciary is doubtful that criminals may misuse this for murders and name it as legal. Thus, the law never supports any of the petitions related to euthanasia.

Euthanasia is of generally three types, i.e. voluntary, non - voluntary and involuntary. Euthanasia with the consent of a patient is voluntary, however if it is conducted against the patient’s will. On the other hand it is involuntary if a situation arises where the consent of the patient is not available for e.g. amniocentesis incase the fetus which is not developing then it is non - voluntary euthanasia. But generally in all the above cases euthanasia can be used as a tool for culpable homicide(legal term for instigating someone to commit suicide and which is a crime)To avoid this Indian judiciary is against it.

The common people however find it very difficult to live in certain conditions where there is no medical treatment for the patients. The recent news that the plea of Mercy killing rejected by Supreme Court in the case of Aruna Shanbuag has raised an issue amongst us that whether Euthanasia is legal. After the Supreme Court rejected the petition wherein the nurse is suffering since 37 years after a savage has committed heinous crime i.e. rape. She is suffering from vegetative disorder since 37 years.KEM hospital authorities are rejoicing that the petition is rejected as they believe that Aruna wants to live. But actually we do not know that what is actually going in her mind. Her time stands still at the same incident where that sweeper had tied the rope around her neck after brutally raping her. Or else she is at a state where she cannot understand what exactly is happening around her just like a new born baby.

Whatever is the case but as mentioned in Holy books that soul raps itself in a body and whenever it is torn that is the body grows old then the soul has the right to change the same. In this case if the body can be changed by the soul then the sufferer has the right to die in a dignified manner if he has to lie in vegetative disorder state. When we take birth then slowly and gradually we grow and development takes place. But if since ages we are lying in the same state and for everything we have to look for other’s help i.e. right from attending nature’s call to eat food. Then may be for a day or two people will help then it becomes a herculean task for them to take care of us in that state where there is no hope that we will recover. There are people who argue that the person should be allowed to live till he does not die a natural death but I wonder whether they will be able to maintain their stand if they suffer from such kind of incurable condition or may be one amongst them who bear the whole responsibility of the patient who is not going to recover. Euthanasia should be granted if the judiciary system notices every minute detail about the person and finds every fact appropriate.