Rajbala succumbs to injuries

Grieving family blames police, Ramdev says "national loss"

PTI | September 26, 2011



A 51-year-old woman, who was battling for life for about four months in a city hospital after she sustained serious spinal injuries in a police crackdown against yoga guru Ramdev's fast at Ramlila Maidan, died in New Delhi on Monday.

Rajbala, who was in a critical condition for the past 114 days, breathed her last at the neurosurgery department ICU of G B Pant Hospital here at 10:25 AM, doctors said.

Admitted on June 4 after the midnight crackdown on Ramdev's supporters, Rajbala, a resident of Gurgaon, underwent surgery. She remained on ventilator since then and had become a quadriplegic.

The police action, which attracted criticism from several quarters, to evict Ramdev and his supporters from Ramlila Maidan in the wee hours of June four resulted in injuries to several people, including police personnel.

Ramdev and her family had alleged that she was injured in police lathicharge. However, police had denied that there was a lathicharge and claimed that she was injured in a stampede during eviction of protesters.

Grieving family members blamed Delhi Police for her death.

"She died due to police action. Everybody knows why police took such action against the protest. We want our mother back. Can they do that?" said Rakesh Malik, her daughter-in-law.

Expressing grief over Rajbala's death, the BJP said it had "exposed" the claim by the police, made before the Superme Court, that there was no lathi charge on the protesters.

"It has exposed the police which had claimed that no lathicharge or atrocities were committed on protesters," senior leader Rajnath Singh said.

Condoling the death of Rajbala, Ramdev said it was an "irreparable loss to the whole organisation and the agitation" against corruption.

"This is the ultimate sacrifice. Her sacrifice will not go in vain and millions of her brothers and sisters will continue to fight for the cause," he said in a statement.

Rajbala's condition was very critical from day one and her vital parameters were being maintained with increased pharmacological support, doctors said.

Malik claimed that no compensation was given to them and they did not expect anything.

"We don't need compensation. What do you expect from government when the Prime Minister or any other senior leader have not uttered a single word to us on this," she said.

Malik alleged that all injuries sustained by Rajbala had not been mentioned in the MLC report.

"My mother-in-law told the police and us that she was beaten up by the police. Even in the MLC report, all the injuries were not reported. There is a conspiracy," she alleged.

The National Human Rights Commission had on June six sought a report from the Union Home Ministry, Delhi government and Delhi Police following allegations of "unconstitutional police action" in which several people, including children, women and senior citizens, were injured.

Comments

 

Other News

India’s freedom struggle was shaped by wider Asian political thought

As we mark 80th anniversary of independence, ‘Asianism and the Fall of Empire’ (HarperCollins India) by historian Mithi Mukherjee offers a new perspective on Ind

What is colonialism? A relook at modern history

The Chromatic World Order: The Fiction That Rules Our World  By Sajid Mohamed Aakar Books  

Monsoon session of parliament adjourns sine die

The Monsoon Session, 2026 of Parliament which commenced on July 20 was adjourned sine die on Thursday. The session provided 19 sittings spread over a period of 25 days.   During the session 11 Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and 2 Bills were introduced in Rajya Sabha. 12 B

Consumer Justice at a Crossroads

Over the past four decades, India`s consumer protection landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. What began with the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 as a simple mechanism to empower ordinary citizens has evolved into a comprehensive framework capable of addressing challenges ranging from mislea

Doctors, experts call for ban on junk food ads, mandate warning labels

More than 30 doctors, medical scientists and public health professionals have urged the government to take decisive action against the aggressive advertising and marketing of junk food, calling for a watershed ban on advertisements for foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) and ultra-processed foods (UPF

Asiatic Lion population rises from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025

On World Lion Day 2026, environment, forest and climate change Minister  Bhupender Yadav celebrated India’s remarkable journey in lion conservation and reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to protecting wildlife and biodiversity.   In a post on soc

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter