Thalaikoothal (Tamil: தலைக்கூத்தல், lit. showering) 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. [1][2] The practice is illegal in India.[3]
Thalaikoothal has long received covert social acceptance, and in some case the family even inform their relatives before performing thalikoothal. [4] 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.[5][3]
In 2010, after an expose in Virudhunagar district the administration set up teams of officers to monitor the senior citizens. [4][5]