Massive Protest in Kullu Despite Ban and Rain
On Wednesday, around 5,000 people gathered at Rath Ground in Dhalpur, Kullu, defying the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which prohibits gatherings of over five people within a 100-metre radius of the hospital. Despite persistent rainfall, the crowd heeded a call by social activist Baldev Thakur, alias Bunti Seraji, and influencer Sanjay Chauhan to demand justice over the death of a woman at Regional Hospital Kullu on June 21.
Protest Escalates to SP Office and DC Office
The protest, which began peacefully at Rath Ground, escalated as demonstrators marched to the Superintendent of Police (SP) office, where they staged a sit-in and raised slogans against the administration. The agitation later spread to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, with protesters demanding a fair investigation into the death of Rajni Sharma, alias Manju Sharma, who died after childbirth at the hospital.
Key Demands of the Protesters
The protesters raised several key demands, including a transparent and impartial investigation into Manju’s death, strict administrative action against doctors and officials allegedly responsible, the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs filed against protest organisers, and registration of an FIR against the concerned doctor.
Previous Protests and FIR Against Organisers
Around 2,500 people had staged a protest on the hospital premises on June 29 and blocked the main road for nearly two hours. A protest by doctors and medical staff on July 1 led to an FIR being registered against Baldev Thakur and Sanjay Chauhan under cognisable and non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Emotional Plea by Deceased Woman’s Husband
The emotional intensity of the protest peaked when Satish Sharma, the deceased woman’s husband, warned that he would resort to self-immolation if justice was not delivered. Family members, visibly distressed, demanded that an FIR be filed against the doctor and two nurses allegedly involved in the case. Baldev Sharma alleged that their social media accounts had also been suspended by the government, further fuelling public anger.
The protesters have made it clear that their movement will continue until their demands are met, setting the stage for a prolonged standoff between the public and the administration in this Himalayan district.
