New Delhi, March 19 -- The Supreme Court of India recently permitted the withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration for Harish Rana, marking the first judicial case related to the fundamental right to die with dignity. The decision is a landmark in clinical and legal history. As the family took Harish to AIIMS, New Delhi, for the process, one can hardly imagine their emotional state.

This story has widely been reported with headlines like 'Supreme Court allows first-ever case of passive euthanasia.' Reading this, two kinds of thoughts emerge. 'Oh, they chose death.' Or a slightly better informed: 'No, they let their son die.' Both statements miss the point.

The term 'passive euthanasia' is a misnomer that obscures the leg...