Elderly couple seeks active euthanasia

Updated - March 10, 2018 04:19 pm IST - Mumbai

Narayan Lavate and Iravati.

Narayan Lavate and Iravati.

In December 2017, an elderly couple from Mumbai wrote to the President seeking permission for active euthanasia. Narayan Lavate, 88 and his wife, Iravati, 78, stated that they have led fulfilling lives and did not want to suffer if their health failed.

The Lavates said the Supreme Court’s judgment was irrelevant to them. “Our idea is not to wait till the suffering starts. Ours is also a plea for the right to die with dignity but this order will still not help us,” said Mr. Lavate, a retired Maharashtra State Transport employee.

Passive euthanasia involves withholding or discontinuing treatment for a terminally ill person where as active euthanasia involves injecting a lethal dose to a terminally ill person. Active euthanasia is banned in India.

Wish to be independent

The couple does not have children. “We don’t want to be in a situation where one of us is left alone or taking care of the other. We also don’t want anyone else to have to take care of us”, said Ms. Lavate, a retired school principal.

“The court should have allowed active euthanasia as well for people like us who have lived lives to their fullest and are seeking to go in peace”, he said.

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