"When all the purposes of life have been served or when the body becomes unable to serve any purpose, I wish to be able to adopt santhara, a religious fast to death".says Ujjwal,an 83 year old Jain. he lies still on the floor with his arms by his side.He decided to adopt the voluntary systematic fast to death called santhara.

Ujwalji,iconic status within the Jain community was known by all in that community,was diagnosed with Lymphoma 3 years ago.Since 2007,his condition has been deteriorating. However,ever since he has taken the vow,the pain that accompanies the tumor is now gone.

Santhara, a Jain spiritual practice which entails a voluntary giving up of one’s life through fasting, has been in the eye of a storm for years now. The law says it’s suicide, Jains say it’s their religious right. Meanwhile, instances of santhara have been spiraling

One of the concerns raised in the petition was that it is old people who usually resort to santhara — and allowing an elderly person to suffer without medical assistance, food and water is inhuman.Human rights activists feel that the century-old practice of Santhara is a violation of the basic human rights.
They argue that article 21 of the Indian constitution guarantees the right to life but not to death.


The issue has been argued in courtrooms across the country.santhara,will however,remain to be the buzz of the media until a conclusive order is passed,if there is one.