E-Paper
Kerala law panel favours euthanasia
The kerala Law Reforms Commission has suggested “revolutionary” reforms like legislation to allow euthanasia, severe restrictions on polygamy and no freebies for parents who have more than two children.
The kerala Law Reforms Commission headed by eminent jurist Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer has suggested “revolutionary” reforms like legislation to allow euthanasia, severe restrictions on polygamy and no freebies for parents who have more than two children.
Though the commission is yet to submit its final report to the government, some of its recommendations have ruffled many feathers. The Kerala Catholic Bishop has slammed the plan to restrict the birth rate while some of the Muslim organisations have decried the move to ban polygamy saying it is an infringement on Sharia tenets.
“We have made 101 recommendations; some of them are revolutionary in nature. For all other states, Kerala has been a role model in many spheres. Now it is for the government to decide,” Iyer said, adding that these proposals would be submitted to the government on January 24.
The commission felt that mercy killing could be considered in cases where the death was only salvation and preservation of life would be medically impossible.
Another controversial recommendation is that marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife is an offence and such cases should be punishable under Indian Penal Code. However, the husband can marry for the second time with the consent of his wife in writing before a notary Public or a judicial officer.
