RADHIKA SEKAR

has a PhD in religious studies and taught Hinduism at Carleton University. She is a disciple of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission.

In this age of medical advances, death can be suspended, sometimes indefinitely. Therefore the decision is: When do we stop doing all that we can do, i.e., withhold therapies and allow nature to take its course?

Undecided on the issue, I sought inspiration, as I often do, in the writings of that apostle of non-violence — Mahatma Gandhi.

In reply to a letter asking if a man had the right to give up life when it became a burdensome and painful thing, Gandhi-ji wrote: “My opinion on that point is as follows: A man who is suffering from an incurable disease and is living thanks to the service rendered to him by others, without himself doing anything useful in return, has the right to end his life. To fast unto death would be much better for him than to drown himself, for it tests his firmness and leaves room for him to change his mind.”

In another case, one of his calves fell ill and, past all cure, suffered great pain. The Mahatma made up his mind “that the true ahimsa required him to put the heifer out of her misery.”

“Would I apply to human beings the principle that I have enunciated in connection with the calf? Would I like it to be applied in my own case? My reply is yes.

“Just as a surgeon does not commit himsa when he wields his knife on his patient’s body for the latter’s benefit, similarly one may find it necessary under certain imperative circumstances to go a step further and sever life from the body in the interest of the sufferer.” (From Gandhi a Life by Krishna Kripalani, NBT publications)

However, he emphasized that euthanasia and assisted suicide are not acceptable as an alternative to palliative care.