In search of dignity
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This piece reflects on the landmark Supreme Court Bench deliberation regarding the petition for the mercy euthanasia of a nurse, a victim deeply wronged by a hospital hand. The verdict on euthanasia ruled that the court may allow passive killing on a case-by-case basis, but active killing remains strictly prohibited. Yet, active euthanasia seems far more kind and humane to the patient, whereas passive killing slowly tortures—proving to be inherently cruel. In this petition, head seems to have triumphed over heart. A life that is no life triumphed over death, and true dignity died.
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Two hallowed heads strived for a legal edge,
Heard the case—but the horse still trailed the cart,
Took time to ponder— head over the heart,
Spirit of law bowed still to letters' rage.
Sympathized with the plea and not yet still:
‘We allow a passive mercy killing,
One active we can't'— the unfair sibling,
And final word shall be Chair's pondered will.
Fair words always are worth a goodly wait,
Wise words take much slower walk to arrive,
A tune many a white-wig love to drive
At, mercy must wait for her date with fate.
Yet, passive killing scarce can be mercy,
It's too cruel, heartless as inhuman,
It adds, rather than allay patient's pain,
Pity, the justice can't quite that way see.
Murder in mind, red handed if one's caught,
Proved and punished, he might hanged be till dead
As our legal revenge that be red-hot,
But mercy killing's sin—murder in bed.
And look at words of wisdom from the Chair:
Her friend cannot closeness to victim claim,
Few visits make no friends, wise words as were,
Poor she, made to carry the cross called blame!
Poor Mercy, in court room ever decried,
Reducing life as breathing of bare breath,
Justice triumphed— life prevailed over death,
Much before she, her dignity had died.
Poor patient condemned— to live bare to bone,
To live what was no life, nor ever death,
While Lady Justice lost had all of faith,
And she in a much maligned state, in twilight zone,
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Happenings | 04.03.2011 |
Note: One may read also, ‘And the death lingers (11.02.2011) ', Mercy Killing: Ethics Or Economics (02.04.2011), and Gentle unto death (02.10.2008).
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