Got Hurt During a Protest? Here's What You're Owed
Medical care first, documentation second — both are things you have a right to.
Hospitals, including government ones, cannot refuse emergency treatment regardless of how the injury occurred or your ability to pay upfront — this is a well-established right under Article 21 (right to life).
Get medical attention and ask for a written medical record — this becomes important evidence if you later pursue a complaint against excessive force.
If police were responsible for the injury, this is squarely NHRC/Police Complaints Authority territory — and a habeas-corpus-adjacent writ petition is also an option if the injury happened during unlawful detention.
Right to life includes a right to emergency medical treatment, refusal of which is itself a rights violation
Still wondering about...
Can a hospital ask for police clearance before treating me?
Related questions
What Is Section 163 (Old "Section 144") and Does It Ban Your Protest?
It's a real power, but it's far more limited than the blanket "no gathering allowed" reputation it has.
What Actually Turns a Peaceful Protest "Unlawful"?
It's not the crowd size — it's specific conduct that crosses a legal line.
Can Police Just Use Force to Break Up a Peaceful Crowd?
No — force has to be necessary, proportionate, and typically follow specific procedure before it's used.
Heading to a protest? Know the full picture first.
This FAQ covers the specifics — our complete guide covers everything about police stops, arrest and detention in one place.
Open the Full GuideAdhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website and doesn't take a position on the NEET protests themselves — this is general information about rights every student already has, not legal advice for a specific situation. For that, contact a lawyer or the free legal aid helpline (15100).