HB Karibasamma has been unwavering in her 24-year struggle for the legalisation of passive euthanasia. She sold her house to carry on her advocacy. Her efforts finally paid off last month, with the Karnataka government on January 30, 2025, issuing a circular granting terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity.
Karibasamma, who now waits for the final steps to fulfil her long-standing wish, spoke to Down To Earth about her long, lonely struggle to die with dignity.
Excerpts:
M Raghuram (MR): After 24 years of struggle, Karnataka has finally recognised passive euthanasia. How does it feel?
HB Karibasamma (HBK): It feels like a long battle has finally been acknowledged. This is not just about me—it is about thousands of people who suffer every day without hope. If this decision gives them dignity in their last days, my struggle has been worth it.
MR: You faced a lot of opposition. What kept you going?
HBK: The pain I saw in others. Many elderly people are left in terrible conditions with no financial or emotional support. I wanted to give them a voice. I withstood everything—criticism, harassment, even rejection from my own family—because I knew I was fighting for something greater than myself.
MR: You refused donations and even sold your house. Why?
HBK: I wanted my fight to remain independent. I did not want anyone to question my intentions or say that I fought for money. I sold my house because I believed in this cause, and I wanted to put my own resources into it. I even set aside funds for the Border Security Force as a token of my gratitude to the country.
MR: What message do you have for others who might be struggling like you?
HBK: Never stop fighting for what you believe in. Even if you stand alone, if your cause is just, it will be recognised one day. If my journey helps others in pain find peace, then my purpose is fulfilled.
MR: What happens next for you?
HBK: I am waiting for confirmation on when I will be allowed to exercise my right. But beyond that, I hope this movement continues. Euthanasia is still a complex issue in India, and we need more conversations about end-of-life choices. I may not be here forever, but the fight must go on.