Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia: Judgment termed 'historic' by many; some remain unsatisfied

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the "right to die with dignity" is a Fundamental Right. In a landmark ruling that is likely to have far-reaching impact, the court legalised passive euthanasia "under certain guidelines" and also recognised the validity of a living will.The decision drew mixed reactions from various sections of society. While many experts lauded the court for recognising dignity in death, there were also many who raised fears about how it would be implemented.Noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who argued the case in the court on behalf of the petitioner, the NGO 'Common Cause', termed it a "historic" decision while speaking to the media.Speaking to CNN News18, human rights activist Pinky Virani, who had filed a petition in the Supreme Court on behalf of Aruna Shanbaug, the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital nurse who was raped and rendered comatose for 40 years, said, "The credit for the Supreme Court order goes to Aruna Shanbaug who lived in sad circumstances for 40 years." Lawyer RR Kishore told CNN-News18 that he believed the verdict was a "profound judgment, not only in the Indian context, but a path-breaking pronouncement for the global community". Naresh Trehan of the Medanta Hospital told CNN-News18 that the Supreme Court ruling will stop a lot of pain and also lessen expenses. "When there is no hope of recovery, who are we to torture if someone wants a peaceful exit," Dr Surendra Dhelia, secretary of the Society for the Right to Die with Dignity, told CNN-News18. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy tweeted saying that he "welcomed" the Supreme court judgment. Laxmi Yadav, a differently abled woman from Bhopal, who had written to former president Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking euthanasia after failing to find a job for several years, hailed the verdict and said it is good that "people can now die with some self-respect".However, there were also many who raised concerns over the ruling. Activist Rahul Easwar said there was "nothing progressive" about the right to die. The Lavate couple from Mumbai, who had written to President Ram Nath Kovind in January seeking permission for "active euthanasia", also said they were not "fully satisfied" with the Supreme Court ruling.