Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Humanitarian decision” (December 12). The fact that 18 States and four Union Territories have given an affirmative nod to the Centre’s proposal is in itself a vindication of the Union Government’s stand to repeal Section 309 from the Indian Penal Code. Suicide has several dimensions to it, and it cannot be viewed merely in legal terms. The all-important human angle, which encompasses personal liberty, is too vital to be persistently ignored. India has seen more than one lakh suicide cases in 2013.
Socio-economic reasons form the bulk of suicide causes in India, and this reflects poorly on the country’s ability to provide job, shelter and counselling support to its citizens. Though there are diverging court judgements on Section 309, meticulous homework by the Centre can pass the test of the court.