Laws on Euthanasia: With Special Reference to Gandhi’s View on Euthanasia

Abstract

It is Interesting to note that issue of Euthanasia, to many in India and elsewhere, the life and thoughts of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi are a source of Inspiration. The idea of non-violence was pivotal in his thinking in this context the issue of Euthanasia was debated in India in 1928. Perhaps this was the first public bethink on Euthanasia to be reported. A calf in Gandhi ashram was ailing under great pain. Gandhi reflected upon the possibility of what is now called ‘Euthanasia’ and ‘assisted suicide’ so far his view on these practices have not been properly studied. Gandhi shows himself to be a contextually flexible thinker, he argued that in a few rare cases it may be better to kill people who are suffering unbearably at the end of life in this way, he seems to support euthanasia and assisted suicide. Euthanasia and assisted suicide were in fact redundant by steeling the importance of care and nursing as an alternative to euthanasia and assisted suicide. Gandhi insensately made himself a quondam advocate of palliative care in India. Gandhi critically examined the question through his article which appeared in Navajivan (date 30-9-1928)and Young India (4-10-1928) probably this was the first public debate on euthanasia, the debate also covered the issue of it is equally interesting to note that Gandhi and his critics discussed the issue of “painlessly ending the life to end suffering” without using the term “Euthanasia” but meant the same further it is likewise notable to learn that at several example Gandhi had touched upon the matter of the present day debates on Voluntary  Euthanasia, non-voluntary Euthanasia, Involuntary Euthanasia, as well as passive Euthanasia, active Euthanasia, physician –assisted suicide Euthanasia and the rejection or “termination of treatment” Gandhi advocated the development of positive outlook toward life and strived for the human nursing and medical care even when care was impossible it was the way he analyzed Karma and submitted to the will of the god. This paper seeks to touch upon Gandhi s thoughts in changing social reality and human rights.