sec 309 - whose life is it anyway?

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tinoo

@tinoo

Rocker

Posted: 12 years ago

This post is not about saanchi per se, but about section 309 which penalizes individuals who attempt to take their own life.

As a debate - I'd like to know people's perspectives on this.

I personally dont feel it is correct for the government to impose penalties on a person who tried to end their own life but survived. Obviously, they were under emotional distress and a 'victim' of sorts to even contemplate such an extreme step. I feel people like this need care and counseling not punishment.

In India 25 states have registered their verdict before the supreme court of india that section 309 should be abolished because it is an undue punishment on a person who was not doing any harm to others- it is their own life. The other states still stand that this a punishable crime because human life is valuable under all cases.

what do you feel and why? (and I request individuals to leave saanchi and her tomfoolery with suicide out of it)

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Sunna_Deewani

@Sunna_Deewani

Stunner

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

Its debatable subject just like the death sentence. There are arguments that noone has the right to take other persons life even in the name of law. Some don't agree.

I personally feel suicide is morally very wrong. Maybe this belief has some religious roots😕. I don't sympathise with ppl who attempt suicide mostly. Infact i feel a sort of contempt for them, no pity at all. If i come to know that their siutation was really that bad, then i would feel frustrated and think why couldn't they hold on some more and try their best or think they should have got some psychological help or social support, which is lacking in our society.

I'm not sure about the kind of punishment that the govt gives them. I think the jail sentence would be coupled with psychological help as well and also they won't be put in jail as common criminals. If this is the case, then i guess its OK.

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Picasso9

@Picasso9

Dazzler

Posted: 12 years ago

I used to think like Sunna. Then life happened.

Now I feel that for a person to seriously think about suicide reflects not on their cowardice but their desperation for help. It's an obvious cry for help and rather than helping them, they are punished. What they require is counselling, mentoring and rehabilitation to re assimilate themselves back into conventional society. A person who attempts suicide clearly does not feel like they belong anywhere and there is a distinct feeling of hopelessness, depression and desperation.

Edited by Picasso9 - 12 years ago

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aparnauma

@GoodDoc_2105

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 12 years ago

It is a very debatable issue.There can be no right or wrong in this.

I wonder about the reason behind instituting this law in the first place.😕

Suicide attempt in most of the times is a cry for help.If there is a law like this and people are booked for this crime at least this way people concerned will get to know what is troubling that person.

A few years ago there were many instances where people from farming community attempting suicides and unfortunately a lot of them have been successful in their attempts and lost their lives.

The reasons behind their suicide attempts were the hopeless working conditions of the farmers.Lack of adequate help from the state and frequent damages to their crops because of environmental disasters like floods cyclones and draughts.

The studies done showed that those attempts at suicide were not due to mental depression or psychological causes but as a social response to perceived apathy from the state and cry for attention.They were driven by the circumstances to take this extreme step to get some attention from the concerned authorities.

This kind of law to an extent can prevent these kind of suicide attempts.

But in Sanchi's case if the psychiatrist certifies that she has personality didorder and that made her behave the way she behaved I wonder if she will be punished😕

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tinoo

@tinoo

Rocker

Posted: 12 years ago

Originally posted by: aparnauma

I wonder about the reason behind instituting this law in the first place.😕

great question!! i never thought of that. will see if I can find some research on that.

yes, the whole question needs to be framed in the context of why this law came about in the first place. thanks aparna!

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Sunna_Deewani

@Sunna_Deewani

Stunner

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

Originally posted by: tinoo

great question!! i never thought of that. will see if I can find some research on that.
yes, the whole question needs to be framed in the context of why this law came about in the first place. thanks aparna!

Because taking even once own life is a sin in some religious contexts. Maybe thats why😕!

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angelic8219

@angelic8219

Dazzler

Posted: 12 years ago

I think getting arrested for trying to take you own life is just wrong in general obviously the person taking such steps is having mental health problems they should get them help instead of giving them another reason why they should have completed the procedure properly in the first place in order to not get caught like this.

I also don't like dragging other people in the person's suicide attempt, that person has taken the decision to end it not anyone else and neither are they forced either.

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Dr.Fear

@Dr.Fear

Stunner

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

Suicide is v wrong in my view but sometimes the person can't help it,
They commit suicide under distress and maybe because to take ones life is against law, so that's y suicide is a crime

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rightchoice

@rightchoice

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

Very good post!

I think there is no wrong with this law from India context. I believe it is discouraging people from taking life thinking about the police complications that family has to face. Even if it save a life once in a while, then law is working. Its other thing many people overcome this and don't care anyone...But some people do get their feet dragged...

Having said that, law has very soft approach on the victims. India doesn't have a sophisticated psychiatric facility to keep these people in isolation and provide periodic counselling in big number. What these people need is treatment. Statistics says if a person tries for suicide, they will try it again in case they fail first time.

Until India gets sophisticated rehab centers, they can be kept in isolation (not with criminals) providing available counseling and treatment.

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Nazneen

@SiriuslySujal

Dazzler

Posted: 12 years ago

#10

I strongly believe that every individual should be allowed to take control of their own life. I don't see why the government should have the right to pass judgement on someone's decision to take their own life. If someone attempts suicide and survives, rather than imposing punishment on them and causing them more grief, there should be a scheme in place to offer them counselling (and medication, if required) and to help them to conquer the pressures/stress/emotional distress which led them to take such an extreme step. This would enable them to live life anew rather than stigmatising them and making them feel like sinners.

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sec 309 - whose life is it anyway?

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