Click to play videoJaipur: Six members of the Balochi family in Jaipur are reportedly suffering from an undiagnosed disease that's left them disabled.
The family says the doctors aren't able to cure them and that they've received no help from the state government.
The Rajasthan government has given the Balochis an Astha card, which is supposed to get them certain benefits from the government. But the Balochis say it's proved to an useless piece of paper.
"We have little kids, I'm disabled, both me and wife are disabled. We have two innocent children and no means to make a living," said a member of a Balochi family, Bhagwan Das.
They have now decided to fast unto death and have written to the President asking for permission.
The letter that the family has written to the President reads they have been desperate for help, which they haven't got despite running from pillar to post. Now they just want permission to die.
The family started their fast on Gandhi Jayanti and want to continue it at the Chief Minister's residence. Meanwhile, the government has said it will try and get ration for the Balochis.
"Not all Below Poverty Line (BPL) families get ration. But I do believe if there are so many physically challenged people in one family then they should be given ration, I will speak to the concerned officials to try and organise ration for them," said Rajasthan Social Welfare Minister, Madan Dilawar.
So while euthanasia and the comparable Jain practice of Santhara have triggered debates over a person's right to death, in the case of the Balochis, the fasting is a desperate appeal for help rather than choosing to die.
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