The government's move to decriminalise attempted suicide, thereby scrapping Section 309 of the IPC, is a sensible decision.
The legal debate 'for' and 'against' the scrapping of the statute began, in this country, way back in 1981 when the Delhi High Court had first condemned it as unworthy of society. Subsequently, a two judge bench of the Supreme Court went on to call it irrational and cruel and hence void in 1994.
However, a five-judge constitutional bench of the apex court later overruled these judgments and let the law stay in the Gyan Kaur vs State of Punjab case of 1996.
The government's move is a sensitive and humane step because of the the following:-
(a) In our country, where suicides have emerged as the second highest cause of deaths, there was a
much needed legal corrective.
(b) People who try and take their lives need compassion and support, a view that has been endorsed
even by the Law Commission.
(c) Decriminalisation will make it easier for everyone to extend support to individuals, thereby
reducing suicides in the country.
(d) Needless to say, it will bring down the curtains to post attempt legal discomfort to the
individuals which more often than not, go on to be lengthy affairs.
In the world, France was the first country to decriminalise suicide soon after the French Revolution and all European and North American countries have since done it.
Tailpiece.
It's my fond hope that Article 21 of our Constitution that guarantees right to life and liberty for every citizen is enhanced to include the right to die. Yes, euthanasia needs to be legalised!
The legal debate 'for' and 'against' the scrapping of the statute began, in this country, way back in 1981 when the Delhi High Court had first condemned it as unworthy of society. Subsequently, a two judge bench of the Supreme Court went on to call it irrational and cruel and hence void in 1994.
However, a five-judge constitutional bench of the apex court later overruled these judgments and let the law stay in the Gyan Kaur vs State of Punjab case of 1996.
The government's move is a sensitive and humane step because of the the following:-
(a) In our country, where suicides have emerged as the second highest cause of deaths, there was a
much needed legal corrective.
(b) People who try and take their lives need compassion and support, a view that has been endorsed
even by the Law Commission.
(c) Decriminalisation will make it easier for everyone to extend support to individuals, thereby
reducing suicides in the country.
(d) Needless to say, it will bring down the curtains to post attempt legal discomfort to the
individuals which more often than not, go on to be lengthy affairs.
In the world, France was the first country to decriminalise suicide soon after the French Revolution and all European and North American countries have since done it.
Tailpiece.
It's my fond hope that Article 21 of our Constitution that guarantees right to life and liberty for every citizen is enhanced to include the right to die. Yes, euthanasia needs to be legalised!
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