Sallekhana is Not Suicide

SR No.: 001568
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T K Tukol
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 124
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 8 MB

Page 90

Suicide and the Law
insane people should not be subjected to the same punishment as the sane when they commit an offence. The Supreme Court of the United States has held on 22-1-1973 that abortion is legal. Cardinal Krol, President of the National Conference of Bishops said that the ruling " sets in motion developments which are terrifying to contemplation." On the other hand, Dr. Alan F. Guttmachar, President of the Planned Parent. hood said that it was “a wise and courageous stroke for the protection of a woman's physical and emotional health.” Herbert W. Armstrong says : “But is abortion murder ? The Supreme Court carefully avoided answering the question of when a human life begins. It said : 'We need not resolve the difficult question of when an unborn child actually becomes a human person, with a legal right to live. It continues : “ Now the question of whether legal abortion amounts to legal permission to cammit murder does not appear to raise many eyebrows or ignite indignant flames of heated protest. These current trends accompany the alarming increase in crime, in broken homes and divorce, increasing violence, racial strife, riots, arson and sniper killings." There is nothing strange if similar feelings are expressed by a section of the Indian society over legalization of abortion. Similarly Laws sanctioning “ preventive detention” of persons who revolt against the State or are considered habitual offenders vary from country to country.
It may be pertinent to mention that in ancient India the thinking of the State as regards offences and punishment yaried with the caste of the offender and that of the victim. The History of Dharmaśāstra quotes from Dandaviveka that the considerations which should weigh in awarding punishment are : the offender's caste, the value of the thing.... use or usefulness of thing with regard to which the offence was committed.' Even the severity of punishment depeneded upon the caste. In the case of an offence like theft, the amount of fine
6. 'Plain Truth' of May, 1973. 7. History of Dharmasastra, Vol. III, p. 392.
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