Relieve the sufferings, this is something which we all can relate because we are facing some sufferings in our life but there is difference between bearable or unbearable sufferings, whenever we look at our life, we can think of diifferent hypothesis of certain happennings as if something happened different, it would have been different right now or later. Generally, we label our sufferings unbearable beacuse it feels like on but there are so many real situations which are unbearable as instance, the pain of last stage cancer, the pain of rape victim if the victim got ruptured the internal parts, internal bleedings and breathelessness of an individual.
What is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia means ending a person’s life to relieve them from extreme pain or suffering. It is also called “mercy killing.” It is usually considered when someone is very sick or in a coma and has no hope of recovery.
There are two main types of euthanasia:
1. Active euthanasia – Giving a patient something to cause death, like an injection.
2. Passive euthanasia – Stopping medical treatment or life support so that the person dies naturally.
Euthanasia in India
In India, active euthanasia is illegal, but passive euthanasia is allowed under strict conditions. The Supreme Court of India made a historic judgment in 2018, allowing passive euthanasia.
This decision came from a case involving a woman named Aruna Shanbaug.
The Aruna Shanbaug Case (1973–2015):
Aruna was a nurse in Mumbai who was attacked and left in a coma in 1973. She remained in a vegetative state for 42 years. In 2011, a journalist filed a petition asking for her euthanasia. The Supreme Court denied active euthanasia but allowed passive euthanasia under strict medical supervision and court approval. This case led to legal discussion on mercy killing in India.
Later in 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that people have the right to die with dignity, and allowed passive euthanasia through a “living will.”
What is a Living Will?
A living will is a written document in which a person states in advance that if they are ever in a situation where they are terminally ill or in a coma with no chance of recovery, they should not be kept alive on life support.
Conditions for Passive Euthanasia in India:
The patient must be terminally ill or in a permanent vegetative state. Doctors must certify that there is no chance of recovery. The patient or their family can file a request. A medical board and the High Court must approve it.
Examples from India:
1. Aruna Shanbaug Case – This brought national attention to euthanasia.
2. 2018 Supreme Court Judgment – In the case Common Cause vs. Union of India, the court allowed passive euthanasia and living wills.
Conclusion
Euthanasia is a sensitive topic in India because of moral, religious, and legal concerns. While active euthanasia is still not allowed, passive euthanasia is legal under strict rules. This helps people who are suffering from incurable diseases to die with dignity, but it must be done carefully and ethically.
References –
Srishti Sangwan 
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