In a first, 600 people have applied for euthanasia at the same time. Around 600 Muslim fishermen from 100 families from Gosabar in Gujarat's Porbandar district have approached the high court seeking a nod for euthanasia.
Petitioners cited discrimination and negligence as reasons for this radical move. They claimed the state government is discriminating between Hindu and Muslim fishermen. But, they are not provided with adequate facilities to earn their livelihood.
Fishermen's leader also stated they are not involved in any illegal activity and provide "security inputs regarding anti-nation activities sponsored by Pakistan and other international agencies" to the security forces from time to time.
The petitioners stated that they want to end their lives due to the hardships they have been facing. All basic facilities are regularly provided to the Hindu Kharva Machhimar Samaj. But Muslim fisherfolk are being ignored.
They stated that these families have been involved in the fishing business for the past 100 years and Fisheries Department had granted them fishing licence. However, they are no longer allowed to anchor boats at Gosabar or Navi Bandar port.
The fishermen said in the plea that people have been harassing them since 2016 and they have been facing a lot of hardships. They noted that they have made several appeals to the higher authorities to help resolve the matter.
The leader of the fishermen Allarakha Ismailbhai Thimma filed the petition through advocate Dharmesh Gurjar. He requested the high court to grant the request in the larger interest of justice. He added that the Muslim fisherfolk community is "totally loyal to the nation".
A hearing will be held in the coming days.