JOIN USIn their petition, Konda Jagannatham (30) and Konda Manohar (28) have also urged the SHRC to donate their organs to those in need. “We are bed-ridden for more than a decade now. We depend on our parents and sister for our existence. The irony is that we can’t even commit suicide like the others,” Jagannatham told Deccan Herald.
The brothers, from Ramakkapet of Dubbaka mandal in Medak district, are sons of Konda Durgaiah, a poor weaver. The rare muscular disorder struck Jagannatham when he was in 10th standard. His father ran from pillar to post for his treatment, during which the younger son, Manohar, too, fell prey to the mysterious disease.
Doctors, explaining the reason for the attack, said the disorder was genetic and was the result of marriages between close relatives. The disorder manifests in weakening of limbs leading to total disability.
The brothers have a sister, Bhagavathi, who helps them to communicate with the media by attending to the mobile phone. The brothers secured letters from specialist doctors of the Hyderabad-based Institute of Genetics certifying that Bhagavathi is free from any genetic disorder, so as to pave the way for her to get good marriage alliances. The brothers have also filed a petition in the high court seeking permission for mercy killing. As the court is closed for the Dussehra festival, their plea will have to wait.
It was after all this that they wrote to the SHRC for help to die. “If the SHRC provides us nursing care, we don’t mind shifting to Hyderabad. This will save my parents from us and they will be able to eat two square meals a day,” hopes Jagannatham.