NEW DELHI: On social media, Swatantra Bharadwaj presents himself not simply as a Hindutva leader but as a self-styled “Swatantra Sanatani Yoddha”, according to news agency PTI.With around 1.84 lakh followers on Instagram, Bharadwaj has built a sizeable online presence by posting videos and messages targeting people and groups he opposes.His latest statements have given fresh impetus to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had called off its proposed march on September 5 after the Supreme Court, at the Centre’s request, quashed FIRs registered across the country against students who participated in the NEET protests.As Bharadwaj’s claims spread across social media, the CJP renewed its pressure on the Delhi Police and the Centre, demanding action against him.Swatantra Bhardwaj’s online persona has now come under scrutiny after he was accused of assaulting Sanjay Kumar, the father of student activist Nishu Azad, during a protest at Jantar Mantar.The incident has since turned into a political and legal controversy, with protesters demanding his arrest and the Delhi Police facing questions over its handling of the case.Bharadwaj himself has added fuel to the controversy through statements made in a recent podcast interview. In the interview, he claimed that he had “cracked the skull” of Nishu’s father during the Jantar Mantar confrontation and alleged that the man required 60 stitches.Police, however, have rejected the claim that Kumar suffered a skull fracture, saying he sustained a simple head injury during a scuffle.
Man behind the ‘Sanatani Yoddha’ label
Swatantra Bharadwaj’s social-media profile describes him as a “Swatantra Sanatani Yoddha”, a label that has become central to his online identity.His posts and videos frequently target participants in the CJP-organised agitation. During a protest on July 20, he reportedly described protesters as “terrorists” and “cockroaches” and demanded that “staunch sanatanis” like him be allowed to work as Delhi Police personnel for a day.His social-media activity has also included videos directed at people associated with the CJP agitation, making him a prominent online critic of the protesters.The language used in his videos and public appearances has contributed to an image of an aggressive Hindutva-aligned youth who positions himself as a defender of his political and ideological beliefs.
Boasts of political connections
Bharadwaj has also made claims about his political reach.In the one-hour podcast interview, which is available on YouTube, he claimed to have the backing of several prominent political figures.“I have the blessings of Lord Hanuman upon me. And secondly, Kapil Mishra is my elder brother. They say Kapil Mishra called and I was released. Chirag Paswan is my elder brother. How many leaders do you know? Do you know Modi ji? Modi ji is also my elder brother. I have everyone’s support,” he said.These are Bharadwaj’s own claims, and the allegations regarding political intervention have not been independently established.His statements have nevertheless become a key part of the controversy.CJP representatives have demanded that senior BJP leaders clarify whether any of the leaders named by Bharadwaj intervened following his detention at Jantar Mantar.
The Jantar Mantar confrontation
The controversy centres on an incident during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, where Bharadwaj and another man, identified as Suraj Kumar, were detained and questioned after an alleged confrontation involving Nishu’s father, Sanjay Kumar.Police subsequently served notices to the two men and said a chargesheet would be filed.The issue escalated after the podcast interview in which Bharadwaj appeared to claim responsibility for seriously assaulting Kumar.“I cracked the skull of Nishu’s father. Do you know which section this crime attracts? Section 307. He needed 60 stitches. The man was being taken away in an ambulance in serious condition,” he said in the interview.Police have disputed the severity of the injuries claimed by Bharadwaj, saying Kumar suffered a simple head injury in a scuffle and rejecting claims that his skull was fractured.
CJP demands arrest
The CJP has accused the Delhi Police of failing to take adequate action against Bharadwaj and has been demanding his arrest.On Friday, CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with supporters and MPs Chandrashekhar Azad and Pappu Yadav, reached Parliament Street police station seeking action against him.Nishu later said police had assured the delegation that Bharadwaj would be arrested within 72 hours.“Police said they will arrest Swatantra in 72 hours. We believe they will take action and not keep delaying it as they were doing,” she said.CJP representatives also demanded that provisions relating to attempt to murder, the SC/ST Act and criminal intimidation be added to the FIR.Rishabh, associated with the AICC law department, said police had assured the delegation that the additional provisions would be examined.The CJP also sought a separate FIR over alleged online abuse and objectionable content targeting Nishu.
Nishu alleges threats
The controversy has also moved beyond the alleged assault on her father.Nishu alleged that she had faced verbal abuse and rape threats following the incident and said she had filed an FIR.“I was ashamed of even stepping out. For a few weeks I could not go to school, I feel everyone is judging me. I hope police will take action,” she said.CJP co-convenor Das alleged that threats against Nishu included rape, acid attacks and death threats. He said police had assured the delegation that action would be taken.
Chandrashekhar Azad questions police action
Nagina MP and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad also criticised the police response.“We have all seen how the accused has publicly appeared on television channels and admitted to the allegations against him. He has said that they wanted to kill the victim, that they attacked her and that she suffered injuries. Yet, the police did not arrest them,” Azad said.He alleged that the accused had been allowed to leave after being served notices and claimed that Bharadwaj’s subsequent social-media activity amounted to intimidation.The allegations made by Azad and other CJP representatives have not been independently established.
Police promise action
Police said Bharadwaj and Suraj Kumar were detained at the spot, questioned and served notices following the Jantar Mantar incident.On Friday, CJP representatives said police had assured them that Bharadwaj would be arrested within 72 hours and that further provisions could be added to the FIR.The police have also begun examining CCTV footage and other evidence connected with the incident.An FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station against Bharadwaj under Section 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to resistance or obstruction by a person to their lawful apprehension or escape from lawful custody.For Bharadwaj, the Jantar Mantar controversy has brought his online persona into the wider public spotlight.
