The origination of the word ‘Euthanasia’ has come from a Greek phrase “euthanatos”, where “eu” means “good” and “thanatos” means “death”. Therefore, if we see the literal translation of this maxim, then it means an “easy death” or a “good death”. But how can death be good? We as humans have always glorified death as the hardest and most eventual part of life, which no human would ever want to face in his lifetime. But at the same time, death is inescapable, nobody till today has been able to escape death. Even the Gods and goddesses had to face death at a certain period. Death is not welcomed by everybody, however some individuals with severe illnesses, incurable medical conditions may feel that their suffering outweighs their will to live, leading them to consider death as a release. This highlights the complex and personal nature of end-of-life decisions, where people’s desires can vary greatly, from fighting to live to accepting or even seeking death.For those people Euthanasia can be a medium for a “good death”.
Euthanasia, sometimes known as “mercy killing,” is a highly contentious topic that calls into question the worth of human life, individual liberty, and the function of medicine. Euthanasia, in its most basic, is the deliberate taking of a person’s life in order to alleviate their suffering, usually as a result of a terminal illness or other incurable condition.
The legal status of euthanasia in India is complex and nuanced. While passive euthanasia, which involves withholding or withdrawing medical treatment, is recognized and legalized under strict guidelines, active euthanasia remains a crime.India’s euthanasia case laws have evolved significantly, starting with P. Rathinam vs. Union of India, where the Supreme Court initially declared Section 309 of the IPC (attempt to suicide) as void, only to be overruled in Gian Kaur vs. State of Punjab (1996), which held that the “right to life” under Article 21 does not include the “right to die”. However, a major shift occurred in Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug vs. Union of India (2011), where the Supreme Court legalized passive euthanasia, recognizing the “right to die with dignity” as a fundamental right and establishing guidelines for its implementation. This was further reinforced in Common Cause (A Regd. Society) vs. Union of India (2018), where the Court allowed patients to create living wills specifying their end-of-life care preferences, emphasizing autonomy and dignity in end-of-life decisions.
These landmark cases have shaped India’s approach to euthanasia, balancing individual rights with safeguards against potential abuse.Students at Law colleges in Coochbehar, like many others across the country, engage in thoughtful discussions about the ethical, legal, and social implications of euthanasia, exploring the balance between individual autonomy and the protection of vulnerable populations. The Supreme Court of India has recognized the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right, allowing individuals to create living wills specifying their end-of-life care preferences. The court’s guidelines for passive euthanasia emphasize informed consent, medical opinion, and court oversight to ensure dignity and compassion in end-of-life care, balancing individual autonomy with safeguards against potential abuse.
