India
oi-Swastika Sruti
A self-described Hindutva activist has sparked controversy after proudly talking in a podcast about attacking the father of a protester during the CJP protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Hindutva activist Swatantra Bhardwaj claimed on a podcast he attacked a protester’s father at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20, causing an injury requiring 60 stitches, and alleged political leaders, including Kapil Mishra, facilitated his release without jail time. CJP’s Saurav Das criticized Delhi Police for not filing attempt-to-murder charges.
The viral boy’s name is Swatantra Bhardwaj, who has described himself as a Hindutva activist, allegedly claimed that he attacked the father of a protester during the July 20 demonstration and that the man suffered a serious head injury requiring dozens of stitches.
Bhardwaj also claimed that he was released without spending time in jail and attributed his freedom to what he described as the support of several political leaders.
What Did Swatantra Bhardwaj Claim?
In the podcast Bharadwaj claimed that he had attacked the father of a protester named Nishu and said the man suffered a serious injury to his head, leaving him with such an injury that required around 60 stitches and that he himself was out of custody the following day.
He presented his release as evidence of the influence and support he claimed to enjoy.
What a shame for the Delhi Police – and for Amit Shah.
A Hindutva extremist Swatantra Bharadwaj is openly boasting that he broke open the head of a young protester’s father, who needed 60 stitches.
He further claims that Kapil Mishra’s intervention shielded him from police… pic.twitter.com/2NObcXzQia
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) September 3, 2026
Bhardwaj Claims Support From Political Leaders
Bhardwaj also made claims about his alleged connections with political figures.
He said he had the support of leaders including Delhi BJP leader and minister Kapil Mishra, Chirag Paswan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to them as people who supported him.
He specifically claimed that a phone call from Kapil Mishra had helped secure his release.
These are Bhardwaj’s own claims, and there is no independent confirmation in the material available that any of the named leaders intervened to secure his release.
The allegations have nevertheless become a central part of the political controversy surrounding the incident.
Allow me to tell you what exactly happened after BJP-protected goon Swatantra Bhardwajs attack on Dalit man Sanjay at our Jantar Mantar protest:
– Sanjay jis skull was cracked open. The wound dimensions were of such great size that it obviously warranted an Attempt to Murder…
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) September 3, 2026
Questions Raised Over The Police Case
The CJP’s leader, Saurav Das, has charged Delhi Police with having failed to bring additional charges against Bhardwaj after the attack.
Das has said that the father of the protester Nishu – Sanjay had sustained a serious head injury.
According to Das, such an injury could lead to bringing an attempt to murder charge against Bhardwaj as per Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, the law that he cited in regards to the July 20 incident.
Das claims that police declined to add such a charge.
This guy is openly admitting that he attacked people at Jantar Mantar and that BJP leaders provided him immunity from police action afterwards.
How much more openly does someone have to admit it before @DelhiPolice takes action? pic.twitter.com/3nki1h9PaH
— Cockroach Janta Party – CJP (@Cockroachisback) September 3, 2026
It is further claimed by Das that the protesters had asked for another grave grievous injury charge to be included, but they were advised to go to court to obtain an order.
These claims about police behavior have not been verified yet.
CJP Demands Answers From Delhi Police
Das has raised doubts as to why the people allegedly involved in the clash have not been identified. He has said that there were several individuals who had allegedly taken part in the attack and later on released some video reels and threats against the little girl of Sanjay.
The leader of CJP has asked for an explanation from Delhi Police about the management of the entire case.
As someone who was present with @SauravDassss during these discussions, I can confirm this.
Additionally, we were told that this goon was kept under detention, but from what is being claimed, that is also turning out to be a blatant lie.@DCPNewDelhi give proofs of all that was… https://t.co/RCScqC3lO3
— Ashutosh Ranka (@AshutoshRanka) September 3, 2026
Moreover, he has also raised doubts as to why Bhardwaj’s claim about political intervention for his release from the police station is true, whether any leader who has been named by him should be questioned.
One of the colleagues of CJP, Ashutosh Ranka has supported Das on his claims.
Congress Leader Highlights Podcast Claims
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also drew attention to the podcast.
She criticised Bhardwaj’s alleged remarks about the attack and questioned how someone accused of seriously injuring a protester’s father could claim to have spent no time in jail.
Her comments added a political dimension to an already contentious dispute over the handling of the July 20 protest.
Delhi Police’s Explanation For Plainclothes Personnel
Delhi Police has defended the deployment of personnel in plain clothes.
In proceedings before the Supreme Court, police said some plainclothes officers carrying lathis were deployed as “spotters” during the protest.
According to the police’s account, these personnel were drawn from different units, including the Special Branch, Special Cell, Crime Branch and local police.
Police said they were strategically positioned among the protesters because of the urgency of the situation.
The explanation has not ended the debate over the use of plainclothes personnel during the protest.
Delhi High Court Ordered Video Evidence To Be Preserved
The confrontation also reached the Delhi High Court.
On July 22, the court issued a notice to Delhi Police concerning the preservation of video evidence related to the police action during the protest.
The preservation of footage is significant because videos from the protest could help establish what happened during individual confrontations, including the alleged assault involving Sanjay.
The footage may also help determine the roles of uniformed and plainclothes personnel present at the scene.
