The right to die

Anaayesaena maraNam

Vinaa dhainyaena jeevanam
daehi mae kripayaa shambho
tyavi bhaktim achanchalam

A pain free death
A life devoid of misery
Grant me out of compassion, Lord Shambho (Shiva)
Unwavering devotion to you

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California lawmakers are planning to introduce a bill to legalize the right to end one's life. The idea of mercy killing – the right (and means) for someone to choose to end their life in the face of terminal illness – can be a polarizing one, whipping up fervor on both sides of the debate. Personally, I was earlier firmly rooted with those arguing against mercy killing. How can someone have the right to end their own life? The finality of death, to me, seemed to entirely snuff out the “what if” scenario. To a late teen/early twenties guy, the cure for cancer or any incurable condition for that matter seemed more a question of mere time than anything else. You’d open the paper one day to read “Cancer cured!” If you’re not an optimist in your twenties, you don’t have a heart.

And then it happened. My mother was diagnosed with cancer. And after waging a valiant battle against the disease for six years, she succumbed. In that time, I had a ring side seat to witness how this illness can steadily rob someone of everything that defines them as an individual. Their physical strength, the courage to fight the disease (and in this case, the therapy itself) and ultimately their will to live. The last few months of her life were nothing but hell for both her and for us. I was now clearly convinced of the need to be able to end one’s life. Before the prospect of losing the quality of life as it can often happen in such cases.  Advances in medical research may definitely hold many promises but they are just that: promises. And miracles are not a commodity and counting on them may not be a viable strategy. 

The right to end an individual’s life with dignity in the face of terminal illness should be enshrined as part of fundamental human rights. The arguments against this are often tinged with a religious flavor. He who giveth shall taketh. We are just humans, mere mortals. We are not empowered to reject life, given by a superior power. Life is sacred, to be preserved and celebrated. Arguments that I had once subscribed to with conviction. 

I believe there should be a distinction between life and existence. It is not beyond science today to postpone death and keep someone alive. Even if only in a vegetative state. Which raises the logical question: what next? Leaving an individual suspended between life and death till the latter descends “naturally” may be thwarting death in medical terms. But is that really life?  On the same note, people should also distinguish between suicide and the right to die: two very different things. Opposition to the former should not overshadow opposition to the latter. 

To state the blazingly obvious, life is a blessing to be lived, savored and enjoyed. And it is for that very reason the right to die should be legalized. Life is beautiful. Too beautiful and valuable to be allowed to languish devoid of, well, life. 

The argument for the right to die poses its own set of challenges: misuse, impeding development of palliative care (which was grossly inadequate in India when we needed it the most) and mercy killing becoming the default recommendation from doctors. But no idea has ever had a smooth passage through the ages. Better the idea, tougher the acceptance.

Peaceful death. The ancients really knew what to seek from superior powers.