The decision to repeal Section 309 and decriminalising attempt to suicide is a far reaching reform. The law was an ancient one, spilling over from the days of the Raj.
Mercifully, there is sensitivity towards the troubled psyches of people who live in difficult situations. Rather than penalising them, the government has done the right thing by making the law humane.
In any case, India has real issues at its hands to tackle. According to a WHO report, India is now the world leader in suicides among 15 to 29 years old, and the highest suicide rate is not amongst the disadvantaged groups, which means that young, educated adults are facing problems. As aspirations grow we are likely to see the problem grow.
It stands to reason that those who try to commit suicide need help. They should be counselled, preferably by professionals in the field, who today are very few in number compared to the number of self-inflicted deaths 135,000 in 2013.
Throw in attempted suicides and the immensity of the problem comes through. The need to recognise the trend as a mental, emotional issues rather than a criminal offence whereby the person who fails at suicide is thrown into prison has been a pressing one for years now.
Taking into account the scanty sums spent by the government on mental health, it is the society that must act as a safety net, with the immediate family taking responsibility as counsellors.
The pressures on our children the “young voters” who are so aggressively courted by political parties — are immense. Acknowledging it and keeping the conversation going is the first step to healthy, happy adolescents.
