The high literacy state Kerala could become the first in India to allow mercy killing, if a recommendation by the state law reforms commission gets the government's nod.

 

The proposal in favour of euthanasia is part of a report to be given to the state government on January 24 by the commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice V R Krishna Iyer, a known civil rights activist.

 

Among the other radical recommendations of the commission is a law to make it mandatory for all groups holding hartals to give at least one week's notice to the authorities and compensation for damage from those organizing them.

 

Another proposal to prevent polygamy by making it mandatory for a man to seek his first wife's permission for a second marriage has drawn protests from a section of the Muslim community.

 

The report, the details of which are not yet known, will also ask the government to appoint people from lower castes as temple priests.

 

Another controversial suggestion is bringing all properties of the Catholic Church under a trust like the Devasom Board that administers temple properties in the state.