Thalaikoothal
Encyclopedia
Thalaikoothal is the traditional practice of senicide
(killing of the elderly) or involuntary euthanasia
, by their own family members, observed in some parts of southern districts of Tamil Nadu
state of India
. In this, the elderly person is given an extensive oil-bath early in the morning and subsequently made to drink glasses of tender coconut water
which results in renal failure
, high fever, fits, and death within a day or two. The practice is illegal in India.
Thalaikoothal has long received covert social acceptance, and in some case the family even inform their relatives before performing thalikoothal. Though issue recently made news in early 2010, when an 80-year old man escaped when he came to know of his fate and heard his family members discussing how they were going to "share" his lands, and took refuge in a relative's home. Subsequent investigation revealed the practice to a "fairly widespread "in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, and people seldom complain to the police.
the administration set up teams of officers to monitor the senior citizens.
Senicide
Senicide or geronticide is the abandonment to death, suicide or killing of the elderly.- History :Societal views and legal repercussions have varied greatly in regards to senicide....
(killing of the elderly) or involuntary euthanasia
Involuntary euthanasia
Non-voluntary euthanasia is euthanasia conducted where the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable...
, by their own family members, observed in some parts of southern districts of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
state of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In this, the elderly person is given an extensive oil-bath early in the morning and subsequently made to drink glasses of tender coconut water
Coconut water
Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts . As the fruit matures, the coconut water is gradually replaced by the coconut meat and air. A very young coconut has very little meat; the meat that it has is very tender, almost a gel...
which results in renal failure
Renal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
, high fever, fits, and death within a day or two. The practice is illegal in India.
Thalaikoothal has long received covert social acceptance, and in some case the family even inform their relatives before performing thalikoothal. Though issue recently made news in early 2010, when an 80-year old man escaped when he came to know of his fate and heard his family members discussing how they were going to "share" his lands, and took refuge in a relative's home. Subsequent investigation revealed the practice to a "fairly widespread "in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, and people seldom complain to the police.
Response
In 2010, after an expose in Virudhunagar districtVirudhunagar District
Virudhunagar District is an administrative district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Virudhunagar is the district headquarters. Virudhunagar district was formed from parts of Tirunelveli and Madurai districts....
the administration set up teams of officers to monitor the senior citizens.