CJP Protest: Student in ICU as Delhi Hospital Sees Tighter Security
The corridors outside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on the fifth floor of Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital were unusually quiet by Tuesday afternoon, a day after a police crackdown on a protest march by the Constitution, Justice, and Peace (CJP) group.
The doors to the ICU swung open every few minutes, revealing a controlled environment inside. Two police officers sat on the staircase outside – one scrolling through videos on his phone, the other leaning against the railing. Along the corridor, attendants of other patients sat on the stairs, pausing their conversations each time a nurse, doctor or ward attendant emerged through the doors.
According to hospital staff, around 230 people were brought to RML Hospital for treatment after Monday's police action. By Tuesday morning, many had been discharged. However, one protester remained in the ICU: 21-year-old Sakshi, a student pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Computer Applications.
Sakshi's condition is described as stable but under observation. Hospital authorities have not disclosed the nature of her injuries. The police crackdown occurred during a march organised by the CJP, a group that has been vocal about issues related to constitutional rights and judicial reforms.
The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions surrounding protests in the national capital. Security at the hospital has been visibly tightened, with additional personnel deployed on the floors and entrances. Officials have not commented on whether this is a routine measure or a response to the specific situation.
Relatives of other patients expressed concern over the increased police presence, though they acknowledged that the hospital staff continued to provide care without disruption. The hospital administration has not issued a formal statement regarding the protest-related admissions.
Civil liberties groups have questioned the scale of the police action, calling for transparency about the number of detainees and those injured. The Delhi Police have not released an official count of arrests or injuries. The CJP has announced plans to hold further protests, raising questions about the balance between the right to peaceful assembly and public order.
As of Tuesday evening, Sakshi remained the only protester in the ICU. Her family has not spoken publicly. The hospital has not set a timeline for her discharge.
