Thaindian News

Mumbai, March 7 (IANS) While the medical fraternity welcomed Monday’s Supreme Court verdict rejecting a petition for the mercy killing of Aruna Shanbaug, who has been in a “persistent vegetative state” for 37 years, a number of Mumbaikars said that she should be allowed a dignified death.

A Supreme Court bench of Justice Markandey Katju and Justice Gyan Sudha Misra Monday ruled out a mercy killing petition filed in favour of Aruna Shanbaug (63), who was brutally raped in 1973 and remains in a “persistent vegetative state” in Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital.

“It is a tragedy that while the woman, who was chained and raped lives a life she didn’t deserve for the past 37 years, the person responsible is living a normal life. She should be freed from this pain and suffering,” Kanchan Singh, chef in a Mumbai hotel, said.

Khantil Shah, a public relations professional, while voicing concern over the possible misuse of euthanasia (mercy killing), if allowed, generally agreed to this view.

“All of her (Shanbaug’s) batch-mates have retired, but are still taking care of her. She has lost support from her family as well. She is just a body lying on the bed. I know for a fact that euthanasia, if legalised, can be misused in many ways. But the court should consider certain pleas. In this case, euthanasia should be granted,” he said.

Prince George, a logistics professional, said: “Denying euthanasia in a situation like Aruna’s is prolonging death, not life. We have the right to death as much as we have the right to life.”

According to Stavan Mehta, a software expert, people should come together and raise voice against the verdict.

“We must all help Aruna free herself from the state of a non-existent being. She deserves to rest in peace,” he said.

Gurcharan Singh Sandhu, a bank officer, felt that Shanbaug has had enough of her suffering. “Her suffering will not end until she passes away. She should be granted euthanasia,” he said.

Anupma Diddi, an education professional, said: “Aruna is not in a position to make an informed decision for herself. The fact that she is alive today is also a decision taken by the doctors and the society. It is time now that we let her go.”.

Sadhna Shah, a homemaker, however felt Shanbaug should not be “killed”.

“She should be allowed her rightful life. I know Aruna’s mind doesn’t register life or death anymore, but who are we to take a life,” she asked.

K. Rajeshwari, a college student, agreed.

“If Aruna cannot decide for herself, we have no right to decide for her either. She should live on till she dies of natural reasons,” she said.