Sramana 2015 07

SR No.: 525093
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sundarshanlal Jain, Ashokkumar Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi
Publication Year: 2015
Total Pages: 114
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Sramana, & India
File Size: 13 MB

Page 81

72 : Śramaņa, Vol 66, No. 3, July-September 2015 Generally, the euthanasia may be voluntary and non-voluntary. The voluntary euthanasia is, where the consent is taken from the patient, whereas non-voluntary euthanasia is conducted without an individual's specifically given acquiescence and relatives give their consent to take lifesaving treatment and in the opinion of some this equates to murder. It is not a crime, but whether not taking food consciously and voluntarily with the aim of ending one's life is a crime under section 309 IPC is a question, which need not be decide here. After considering the question of non-voluntary, passive euthanasia, the Supreme Court laid down certain guidelines for the procedure for permitting death, under certain conditions. The Supreme Court laid down a procedure detailing the conditions for such action till the Act is enacted by the Parliament. The procedure provides for a decision to be taken by the patients to discontinue life support or the spouse or other close relatives and in their absence by a person next or by the doctors attending the patient. The Committee of three reputed doctors after consulting such medical authorities/ medical practitioners, preferably comprising of a Neurologist, Psychiatrist and Physician passive euthanasia can be permitted. Voluntary euthanasia has often been rejected as a violation of the sanctity of human life. Specifically, some Christians argue that human life ultimately belongs to God, so that humans should not be the one to make the choice to end life. Christians view as quoted in Bible, “The god giveth and the god taketh'; no one else has a right to intervene in the divine process of life and death. The man cannot give life, so he must not take life, voluntarily or otherwise. Orthodox Judaism takes basically the same approach. Even Jains would never allow this kind of act of euthanasia, as Jaina aphorisms of canons claim that life is dear to everyone, no one wants to die.26 In such a
ation, euthanasia is an immoral act, inhuman behaviour as per Jaina view. It is also illegal in most of the countries. Jainism, as it is basically a non-violent religion, is in opposition with this kind of mercy killing or death through euthanasia.