Parents seek euthanasia for their under-teen son

West Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Dec 17 (ANI): Parents of an eleven-year-old boy from Potka village in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand have sought euthanasia for their son Gulshan Munda.

Apart from approaching higher officials, the distraught parents have even approached the State Welfare Minister Joba Manjhi by contending that they just can't afford treating their son for his disease of sickle cell anaemia.

Gulshan's father Kalidas Munda lost his job six months ago, which made life tougher for the family to afford the treatment.

The boy needs blood transfusion since his birth and his monthly medicare bills touch a whopping figure of over rupees 5000, the average earnings of a skilled worker in Jharkhand.

Parvati, mother of Gulshan has been knocking at the doors of higher officials to give a green signal for the ultimate to her son.

Further she noted that it has become impossible for her husband, a daily wage earner to mobilise such an amount whereas the parents wish to free their son from pain and suffering.

"I want euthanasia for my child, as my husband does not have a job. We're poor and can't afford his treatment. The child is also suffering in pain," said Parvati.

However, the Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of Chakradharpur believes that it is not legal to grant death or perform such kind of acts on a boy.

The SDO has offered some kind of assistance to the family on a note of optimism that their son can be saved.

"There's no provision by the Government or in law books to grant death in such a way. This case of Gulshan will be forwarded to the government and we hope to help him as soon as possible and save his life," said J J Suman, SDO, Chakradharpur

Meanwhile, Joba Manjhi also viewed this plea by the parents as an inhuman act and condemned the mother's option for euthanasia.

The Minister said that she would never advise euthanasia for Gulshan at any cost.

India has not legalised euthanasia till now unlike Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg and the Oregon State in the USA, which have endorsed euthanasia for acute cases. By Girija Shankar Ojha (ANI)