Rape survivor asks for euthanasia in India.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

A 30-year-old woman in India has asked President Draupadi Murmu's permission to die by euthanasia after being allegedly raped by her stepson and a friend of her husband.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra reported for TimesNow news:

A woman allegedly raped by her stepson and husband’s friends for months, has written a letter to President Draupadi Murmu seeking permission for death by euthanasia.

Media reports say the 30-year-old woman, a resident of BareIlly in UP has written that she has lost all hope for justice.

Mahindra reported for TimesNow that the woman has been unable to gain justice:

“I have struggled enough and don’t think I will get any justice. So, I want to end my life with your permission,” she wrote in the letter.

According to the woman, who married a 55-year-old farmer for the second time after her divorce, she was approached by the stepson for an illicit relationship but refused and was sexually assaulted, repeatedly, ever since.

Police say an investigation is underway but no arrests have been made.

This is a very upsetting and different reason for requesting euthanasia. The woman is experiencing incredible pain after being criminally violated and she feels that her life is not worth living.

Similar to euthanasia requests in Canada, many people are seeking death for other reasons, such as poverty, an inability to get needed medical treatment and to avoid become homeless.

No one should be put in such a vulnerable position that they feel that death is preferable to life.