Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has extended support to student protester Nishu Aazad after a video circulated on social media in which a man identified as Swatantra Bhardwaj allegedly claimed to have assaulted her father during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar.
The controversy gained momentum after a clip from a podcast went viral, in which Bhardwaj appeared to speak about the June 23 confrontation involving Sanjay Kumar, identified as the father of student activist Nishu Aazad.
Following the circulation of the video, Nishu posted a video message on X appealing to Rahul Gandhi for support and intervention. She alleged that she and her family had filed an FIR against Bhardwaj following the incident but that no effective action had been taken by the police even after around one-and-a-half months.
Nishu alleged that her family had repeatedly approached the authorities but was being made to wait without a clear resolution. Seeking speedy justice, she appealed to Gandhi to support the family in pursuing the matter.
Responding to her post, Gandhi assured Nishu of his support and said he would stand with her in her fight for justice. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of shielding those responsible for alleged attacks and of using force against student protesters.
Gandhi told Nishu that she was not alone and assured her that she should not panic, while expressing his willingness to assist her in the matter.
The issue has triggered criticism from opposition leaders and the CJP, which has demanded the arrest of Bhardwaj over the alleged assault. The controversy has also led to scrutiny of Bhardwaj’s alleged political links after he referred to BJP leaders, including Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, during the podcast.
The allegations, however, remain contested. Delhi Police have disputed claims that Sanjay Kumar suffered a fractured or “cracked” skull during the incident. According to the police, the injuries recorded in the case were simple in nature.
Who is Swatantra Bhardwaj?
Swatantra Bhardwaj has publicly described himself as a right-wing and Hindutva activist and social media influencer. He has built a presence through social media activity and appearances in online programmes and podcasts.
He came under renewed public scrutiny after a clip from a podcast featuring his comments about the June 23 confrontation at Jantar Mantar was widely circulated online.
The incident took place against the backdrop of the CJP-led protest movement at Jantar Mantar, which has drawn attention over its demands and clashes surrounding the demonstrations. The latest controversy has added a political dimension to the allegations, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and questioning the police response.
Nishu’s appeal and Gandhi’s response have further amplified the issue on social media, putting renewed focus on the alleged assault, the FIR filed by the family and the status of the police investigation.
With competing claims emerging over the nature of the injuries and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, the matter is now likely to remain under close political and public scrutiny. The demand for action against the alleged assailant has also intensified, while questions remain over the progress of the police case and whether further legal action will follow.