Euthanizing the Right to Die
-Ishrath Grade 10A
Hello, I’m Ishrath and I love reading and writing fictional texts.

On March 7, 2011 the Supreme Court of India made passive euthanasia legal for those who are in a permanent/persistent vegetative state. Euthanization can only be done legally by the means of withdrawing life support. It often requires the approval of the High Court. The same law also asked for the decriminalisation of suicide survivors. On August 8th, 2016 the Mental Healthcare Bill was passed, officially decriminalising suicide survivors.

However, certain religions are against these laws. Islam prohibits anyone from taking the decision of one's life, as Muslims believe that the end of someone's life lies only in God's hands. Several Jewish groups have similar beliefs. While some think that euthanasia should stay legal to allow the peaceful death of the ill, others believe that it's immoral.

More often than not, the critically ill are a burden for families. They require constant care and have expensive healthcare costs. Especially when in a non-recoverable state, it becomes hard to care for them. Euthanization should be advised by doctors when needed. Family members and close friends would obviously be reluctant to make a decision like this, as they share emotional bonds and ties. With external advice, reassuring, and guidance from trained counsellors, this decision may be a little easier for them. Making the concerned understand the process and amount of pain they will be free of could leave them feeling slightly better.

Nevertheless, some doctors can be misleading. The illiteracy rate in India is high, making it easy for many people to be deceived by medical practitioners. It may lead to a euthanization that isn't required. This can be prevented by taking proper consultation from several professionals.

Passive euthanization is often confused with assisted suicide (also know as physician-assisted death or a mercy kill). Assisted suicide is when a person is voluntarily euthanised with the help of a physician. A drug is usually used to induce death. It is illegal in India as of now. Passive euthanization is usually involuntarily done as the patient is unable to respond (from the illness). It usually involves removing any food supply and stopping medication. If a ventilator is being used, that can also be removed leading to an almost immediate death.

The laws regarding euthanization and assisted suicide have been growing more liberal. More people have been wanting to save themselves from the pain that comes with chronic, incurable diseases. But other people don't want this saying it devalues life.

While the debate on euthanization is growing, it requires more attention in India. Death is one of those things that isn't talked about freely in India. It's not a conversation starter. Losing someone has been described with a great deal of sorrow. Many of us fear oblivion. All this prevents people from participating in discussions that would provoke conversations and bring about debates on this issue. It would bring numerous amounts of opinions to the light. Bringing these issues up can give people a better idea on all this and would popularise the issue. Spreading awareness can also be beneficial in the future.

All this leads to one question: all of us have the right to live, but do we all have the right to die?