Euthanasia and Constitutional Debates Definition, Types, Examples & Uses

Euthanasia and Constitutional Debates

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Focuses on the “right to die with dignity” as an extension of Article 21 (right to life). The Supreme Court’s Aruna Shanbaug (2011) and Common Cause (2018) judgments permitted passive euthanasia under strict guidelines, acknowledging living wills. Critics fear misuse or moral implications, while proponents cite bodily autonomy and relief from incurable suffering. India’s legal stance differentiates active euthanasia (illegal) from passive euthanasia (withdrawal of life support). Balancing individual autonomy, familial pressures, and medical ethics underscores a sensitive domain requiring robust safeguards. This debate spotlights evolving interpretations of personal liberty under India’s progressive jurisprudence.