Protesters at Jantar Mantar find relief at free clinics set up by doctors

Sunny Deval, 29, with a plaster covering the entire length of his right forearm, walked into a makeshift yellow tarpaulin tent at the Jantar Mantar protest site complaining that his arm was hurting again.

Soon the doctor behind the tables full of medicine with a stethoscope around his neck motioned for him to come to the other end of the tables, sit him down in a chair and start unwrapping the patch.

During the day, many people went to the makeshift clinic to get ORS, medicine, plasters or help with injuries. Doctors at the “free medical camp” said they had treated at least 150-200 people who sustained injuries during the march as of Monday (July 20, 2026).

In addition to paracetamol, painkillers, Dettol bottles and sanitary napkins, the clinic also has a blood pressure monitor, oximeter and thermometers. Medicines and equipment were donated by the people and the 10-12 doctors who work there.

Meanwhile, Mr Deval cried briefly as a physiotherapist at the clinic pressed various points on his hand and asked him if it hurt.

“Can you go to the hospital?” Rajnish KR, a physiotherapist at the clinic, asked him. When Mr. Rajnish showed reluctance, he said, “There seems to be a fracture, and unless you go to the hospital today or tomorrow, you will not be able to lift weight permanently with that arm.”

He then applied medication, wrapped a band aid and created a makeshift arm sling as Mr Deval agreed to go to hospital.

“I came here to protest on Sunday (July 19) after seeing posts on social media. I have been here as a volunteer since Monday. Many people have come to be treated for their injuries. If we don’t protest now, our next generation will be slaves,” he said.

Gaurav, 30, who completed his MBBS and MD from Delhi, said they treated at least 300 protesters injured during Monday’s lathicharge.

“Yesterday I reached here at 8 am and stayed till midnight. Many injured people were coming and we even made a makeshift bed out of a table to treat them,” said Mr Gaurav, adding that some injured individuals were arriving on Wednesday as well.

“One person had three dark marks on his back from a baton. Another person was beaten so badly that his thigh was bruised and the soft tissue under the skin was torn. We ordered many people to go to the hospital, but most of them were reluctant because they were afraid of further action from the police or authorities if they went out with bandages or injuries,” he said.

This clinic has been operating for more than three weeks, it was expanded after Monday’s police action. On the opposite side of the clinic, across from the protest site, the Medical Services Center (MSC), a voluntary service group of doctors, was running a one-table clinic on Wednesday (July 22) morning.

Dr. Anirban Bhaumik, 34, said he took leave to serve the people here.

“Today we treated at least 10 people who were injured on the lathe on Monday. But most of the patients come with common cold, headaches and dehydration. We have a doctor who came from Kolkata to help and a nurse from Madhya Pradesh to offer her services. Everyone is helping each other,” he said.

Published – 23 Jul 2026 03:08 IST