Supreme Court Makes Passive Euthanasia Legal, Says Humans Have A Right To Die With Dignity

Life is a fragile thing, one tragedy and you can remain wheelchair-bound for life or worse, live like a vegetable on life support. For many people, this life brings with it a lot of suffering because they start to see how their family members are trying to keep them alive while sacrificing their own lives, as well.

Such instances are then followed up by the patient’s request for Euthanasia. But, seeking active Euthanasia requires permission from the law as it is illegal.

However, the Supreme Court in a sensitive verdict, made passive Euthanasia legal in the country citing the reason that human beings ‘have the right to die with dignity’.

As reported by Outlook India, a five-judge constitution board headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, laid down the guidelines for the execution of the will and how the medical board would approve passive Euthanasia.

In case, you are wondering, there is a huge difference between passive and active Euthanasia. Passive euthanasia entails a withdrawal of medical treatment to deliberately hasten the death of a terminally-ill patient. While active Euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances to end a life.

Passive Euthanasia has been made legal as doctors are not condemned for failing to save a life. They are not directly killing someone to save them from a worse death but are just denying saving them.

The apex court has also ordered that a ‘living will’ will be permitted for the person seeking this. However, they will require the permission from family members and also a nod from expert doctors who will testify that the revival of the patient is impossible.

This verdict will allow people to expect a dignified and peaceful death instead of passing away suffering from their illness.