The euthanasia debate renewed

In a country like India, where the law and order system is not strong, I'm extremely sceptical about how an idea like this will pan out. Laws, here, are misused in more ways than one. So, unless we have a legal system that is strong and deep-rooted, we cannot really say what can go wrong. In India, where one sees so many families splitting on account of property disputes and such, my only worry is that if euthanasia is legalised, who will protect the senior citizens. Who or what will be the deciding factor in such cases? While the Shanbaug case was an extreme one, and I shudder to think of the humiliating death she received, it's rather sad that it took 42 years for some respite. I still think that euthanasia should not be legalised only because taking someone’s life away is not an easy decision.
- Sonali Kokra, Marine Lines resident

I am an advocate of the right to a reasonable quality of life (QoL) for all humans. Naturally I support passive Euthanasia. Active Euthanasia is more of a grey area in my opinion. The issue needs to be deliberated and discussed preceding legalisation particularly in light of possibilities of legal permission being misused for personal ulterior motives of caregivers/family/friends or any external party. However, almost every law in the country has a flipside. This should not deter the judicial system from considering progressive, empathic legal/judicial change for better QoL for the people of the nation.
- Nidhi Sobti, Andheri resident 

Euthanasia is a tricky subject. I believe that one person cannot decide the fate of another. However, we should consider the option of having advanced health-care directives. It is a common phenomenon in the US. A person can decide beforehand what they want in case a critical health situation arises. For example, if I end up brain-dead and my advanced health-care directive document says that I would like the plug to be pulled, the choice should be honoured. I think this is a much better option than euthanasia.    
- Bishnupriya Sen,  Works at Parel

Euthanasia has been a subject of much contemplation. It is a decision that is difficult but one that sometimes needs to be made keeping the emotions aside when you see your close one suffering without any hope of coming back to normalcy. It is better that the individual be allowed to pass away peacefully rather than suffer all the more. Active euthanasia should be legalised as it is not only the patient who is suffering but also the caregiver who is working relentlessly to ensure that there is no discomfort for the patient. In case the individual is able to give his or her consent himself/herself it should be taken as the final word. In case the individual is not able to do so, either the parents or the child should be given the right to make the decision.
- Thrupti Hegde,  Grant Road resident

Spiritually, euthanasia as an option, is just wrong. No one but God, can decide when you can take your last breath. It can give rise to a lot of ill practices. Even in a genuine case, the reason why someone opts for this is due to extreme trauma they face, monetarily and mentally, which is not a reason good enough to take away a patient's life. In an unfortunate circumstance, where one cannot afford a medical treatment, hospitals should find appropriate methods to avoid this drastic solution. Though painful, one has to see it as a journey we all have to live through no matter how hard it may seem. I believe in karma. In the Aruna Shanbaug case, the way I see it, even though she was in a vegetative state, that was meant to be her journey and her destiny. Maybe she was healed at heart because of so much love she got from the hospital staff for all those years. Just because someone is in a vegetative state and is of no use, killing that person is not justified. She is still entitled to live, and go through her emotions and receive the love and care. We must show even more hope and positivity in such cases and not give up unless your body naturally gives up.
- Sandya Ragoowansi, Powai resident 

Euthanasia should be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as that of Aruna Shanbaug's. A patient is put on life support in the hope that they will revive and breathe independently again. But if there is no hope, then it’s probably better to let them go. This decision would have to be taken by those nearest to the patient after the doctor has specified that medicine is no longer helpful for the patient. Even though the agency involved in both active and passive euthanasia is the same, active euthanasia should not be allowed because the line between euthanasia and homicide is very thin.
- Jyotsna Morris,  Colaba resident

I feel passive euthanasia should be allowed. It depends on the person's health and quality of life. If he has no chance of recovery or is in a vegetative state like Aruna Shanbaug was in, then passive euthanasia should be granted. In case of active euthanasia, it is a bit dicey as it is akin to suicide. However, in both active and passive we are taking someone's life. I think active euthanasia should be decided on a case-to-case basis, his/her quality of life and how many family and friends support him/her. But I think still it would be a difficult decision to make.
- Kanak Yadav, Andheri resident
 

I think there are both pros and cons involved in the legalisation of euthanasia. I'm not in favour of open legalisation. It’s important to look at each case. When there is a locked-in syndrome case, where the patient is awake and conscious but in a state of paralysis, euthanasia is acceptable. I strongly believe that in Aruna's case, euthanasia should have been granted. What India needs is not to legalise euthanasia, but to set up a panel of experts—medical practitioners, doctors, psychiatrists and others, who can act as a jury and decide if a certain patient’s plea of mercy killing should be given a go-ahead. This is to safeguard the patient and also to keep a check that the right is not misused by doctors.
- Sonali Gupta, Sion resident

I don't think euthanasia is a good idea. Only the Almighty has the right to take away what's his. But in cases where an individual is kept alive purely through life support where even the breath they inhale is with the aid of a machine, is brain dead or in comatose and is being fed and kept alive because of machines and ventilators, euthanasia may be granted. However, I don't think an individual struck by an illness should be allowed to opt for euthanasia, I don't see how it is any different from suicide. To each person his pain is the biggest truest deepest pain. Euthanasia is fine only when you are brain dead and can't even breathe by yourself. Had the machine not been there, you would have died anyway. What I do believe is, the Almighty has put everyone here for a reason and put them through their illness; and also for a reason one cannot question him or challenge him. I'm not in support of euthanasia and yet I believe it must be granted in d rarest of rare cases.
- Bushra Khan, Kurla resident

I read the entire story of the Aruna Shanbaug case and I think it is rather sad that someone should be in a miserable state for 42 years. In her case, something should have been done long ago. One knows that her family had denied relations with her and the only support she had was from the hospital where she worked. There was absolutely no hope for Shanbaug. I think it is important that mercy killing needs to be considered in India and it should be done according to the situation and condition of the patient. The only person who should have the last word on allowing euthanasia for a patient should be the doctors treating him/her.
- Binita Jain, Babulnath resident

I feel euthanasia should be allowed in cases when the patient is brain dead or is suffering from comatose. This because when someone is brain dead, they are not alive; one's heart and mind has to be active for them to be alive. If the medical condition of the patient, and the patient's family says that there is no chance that the person can regain their normal life, I think the person should be granted euthanasia. Also, when they say passive euthanasia is legal, I don't really see how that helps. We all have to go one day; and if the person is almost considered dead, they should be allowed active euthanasia on the basis of what medical practitioners say and with the consent of the family. I know there can be one-off cases where misuse can happen, but more than that I am of the belief that there are less bad people in this world for someone to misuse this law.    
- Dipesh Tank, Malad resident