{"id":114195,"date":"2021-06-23T11:10:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T05:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=114195"},"modified":"2021-06-23T11:10:09","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T05:40:09","slug":"a-case-to-decriminalize-suicide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/a-case-to-decriminalize-suicide\/","title":{"rendered":"A case to decriminalize suicide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Context<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0Should we stop\u00a0penalizing\u00a0suicides and seek for a more permanent solution like repeal of section 309 <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-penal-code\/\">Indian Penal Code<\/a> (IPC)?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">High suicide rate in India<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">India has the highest suicide rate in the Southeast Asian region, according to the World Health Organization.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"12\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"33\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A total of 1,34,516 cases of suicide were reported in 2018 in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. While the rate of suicide was 9.9 in 2017, it increased to 10.2 in 2018.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reasons for suicide<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Depression, chronic ill health, guilt, trauma, substance abuse, failure in exams, and loss of loved ones are some of the reasons which influence a person\u2019s decision to take his or her life.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is section 309 IPC?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code\u00a0provides for\u00a0the penal provision for\u00a0attempting\u00a0suicide.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"34\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">If a person is suffering from any mental trauma or illness, he or she should be given\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">reformative treatment<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0rather than a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">deterrent punishment<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0which is \u201csimple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year [or with fine, or with both]\u201d.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"35\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">British Parliament\u00a0decriminalized\u00a0attempts to suicide in 1961 through the Suicide Act. In India, a Bill to repeal Section 309 was first introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 1972 but it\u00a0failed to\u00a0pass in the Lok Sabha because the House was dissolved.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Judgements\u00a0favoring decriminalization of\u00a0suicide.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Those who favor the penal provision\u00a0generally quote\u00a0the\u00a0following\u00a0judgments.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"14\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"36\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gian Kaur V. State of Punjab\u00a0(1996):<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0In this judgment\u00a0court held that the \u201cright to life is a natural right embodied in Article 21\u201d of the Constitution but \u201csuicide is an unnatural termination or extinction of life and, therefore, incompatible and inconsistent with the concept of right to life\u201d.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"14\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"37\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug v. Union of India\u00a0(2011)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0In\u00a0this case,\u00a0the Supreme Court endorsed the\u00a0Gian Kaur judgment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Judgments against\u00a0decriminalization\u00a0of suicide<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Those who argue that the act of attempting suicide should not be criminalized quote\u00a0following judgments:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"15\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"38\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Maruti Shripati Dubal v. State of Maharashtra\u00a0(1986):\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">In this judgment, the Bombay High Court declared\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Section 309 unconstitutional<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0It said:\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cFor example, the freedom of speech and expression includes freedom not to speak and to remain silent. The freedom of association and movement likewise includes the freedom not to join any association or to move anywhere&#8230; If this is so, logically it must follow that right to live&#8230; will include also a right not to live or not to be forced to live.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"15\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"39\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Chenna\u00a0Jagadeeswar\u00a0v. State of Andhra Pradesh\u00a0and\u00a0P. Rathinam v. Union of India\u00a0(1994):<\/span><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">In these judgments\u00a0court held that Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code is a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">violation of Articles 14 and 21<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and is void and unconstitutional.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Read Also :-<a class=\"seoquake-params-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answered-while-centre-aims-to-double-farmers-income-by-2022-a-nabard-survey-shows-high-levels-of-inter-state-income-inequality-among-agricultural-households-in-light-of-this-discuss-various-issu\/\" rel=\"8146b539 x_url\">What are the issues faced by Indian farmers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Does mental healthcare act\u00a0offer\u00a0a solution?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">To some degree but not fully.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"16\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"40\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">In 2017, Parliament passed the Mental Healthcare Act. Section 115 (1) of the Act provides, that any person who\u00a0attempts\u00a0to commit suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said Code.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"16\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">However, this law\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">applies only to those suffering from mental illness<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">. There is presumption of severe stress in case of an attempt to die by suicide.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"16\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">But what if severe stress is not proved?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Way\u00a0forward<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We\u00a0have to\u00a0shift from\u00a0penalizing\u00a0attempts to suicide or making such cases medico-legal ones.\u00a0Instead,\u00a0we should\u00a0provide\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">psychological or mental treatment<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">support<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to the persons affected. As the issue demands a reformative stance, we need a permanent solution like repealing Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code or striking it down.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Terms to know<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"19\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"41\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mental healthcare Act<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/a-case-to-decriminalise-suicide\/article34893959.ece\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Hindu<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Context:\u00a0Should we stop\u00a0penalizing\u00a0suicides and seek for a more permanent solution like repeal of section 309 Indian Penal Code (IPC)?\u00a0 High suicide rate in India\u00a0 India has the highest suicide rate in the Southeast Asian region, according to the World Health Organization.\u00a0\u00a0 A total of 1,34,516 cases of suicide were reported in 2018 in India, according&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/a-case-to-decriminalize-suicide\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">A case to decriminalize suicide<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,8043,9],"tags":[2161,8118,1906],"class_list":["post-114195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","category-current-affairs-cat","category-public","tag-mental-health","tag-section-309-ipc","tag-suicide","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":{"total":2,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1699453688},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114195"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114195\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}