Hyderabad:
Poverty, desperation and lack of response by the government have forced a widow from Andhra Pradesh to seek euthanasia for her mentally disabled son. K Lakshmamma, the mother of an engineering student who was paralysed and became mentally unstable after a serious accident 15 years ago, has sought the permission of a local court in Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh to put an end to her son's life. The petition has been admitted and the next hearing will be on March 3.
Her son C Janardhan, an engineering student, was offered a job in Australia in 1997. He was hit by a truck while he was on his way to Bangalore to get a visa.
The accident caused brain damage in addition to paralyses and loss of speech. He was in coma for three months after the accident.
The 64-year-old widow reportedly told the court that her earnings from working on a farm, coupled with her monthly widow's pension, are not enough to cover her sons medical expenses.
"I don't know who will take care of him after my death. I can't see him suffer any longer. If my son gets mercy killing, I can die in peace," she said in the petition. Her husband died eight years ago.
Struggling to make ends meet on her meager income, K Lakshmamma sold her land and home to foot the medical bills. She has been single-handedly taking care of her son for the past 15 years.
She says her failing health is the reason she was forced to approach the courts, seeking either help or euthanasia for her son.
"If they can get him some medical help, we would be grateful. He cannot fend for himself and I won't be around forever. So I asked if the government can help us. If they do, we will live. Otherwise I will put him to sleep and kill myself. What else can we do?,' says the distressed mother.
Lakshmamma says despite her repeated appeals for help, no response has been forthcoming from the government.
Pleading that her son should get the right to live life with dignity or death if that cannot be granted, this mother has admitted a petition in the court. The judge has said the mother cannot be allowed to put her son to death. She has also issued notices to the authorities for medical and financial help.
The court has admitted her petition for hearing and it will come up next on March 3.
Should you want to donate to this family, you can send a cheque in the name of:
K Lakshmamma or K Janardhan (Joint account holders)
A/C No 037010011024577
Andhra Bank
Burma Street, 14-26-1, CTM Road
Madanapalli, Chittoor district
Andhra Pradesh
Pin Code: 517325
For online transfers, please follow:
Branch code: 000370
IFSC Code: ANDB0000370
MICR Code: 517011202