Accused in Nishu Azad's father's assault detained: Is Swatantra Bharadwaj linked to Chirag Paswan?

A viral podcast clip in which Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bharadwaj allegedly spoke about hitting the father of Delhi student activist Nishu Azad has triggered a major controversy, drawing in the names of Union Minister Chirag Paswan and other political leaders.

While Bharadwaj has claimed the incident was an act of self-defence and denied attempting to attack Nishu Azad's father, his remarks about his alleged political connections prompted the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) to publicly distance itself from him and file a complaint.

Here is what the controversy is about, what Bharadwaj has said in his defence, and why Chirag Paswan and the LJP(RV) have stepped in.

What is the controversy involving Swatantra Bharadwaj?

The controversy stems from a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest held at Jantar Mantar in July.

During the protest, Sanjay Kumar, the father of student activist Nishu Azad, was injured in an incident involving Bharadwaj. The matter gained wider attention after a clip from a podcast interview surfaced on social media, in which Bharadwaj was heard speaking about the incident.

The clip led to allegations that he had boasted about attacking Kumar and causing a serious head injury.

CJP representatives later protested outside Parliament Street police station, demanding action against Bharadwaj. Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad and MP Pappu Yadav were also among those who met police officials.

Delhi Police subsequently detained Bharadwaj in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.

What has Swatantra Bharadwaj said about the assault allegation?

Bharadwaj has denied that he deliberately attacked Nishu Azad's father, maintaining that his actions during the protest were in self-defence.

Responding to the controversy over the podcast clip, he said what was being described as an attack was actually an attempt to protect himself from a group that had surrounded him.

"What people are calling an attack was an act of self-defence. If I had not acted in self-defence, I could have been lynched by the mob or killed," Bharadwaj said.

He denied any intention to attack Kumar and claimed he was surrounded by around 10 to 15 people during the incident.

"I have proof in the form of videos. I was gheraoed by 10-15 people. When I acted in self-defence, he was hit on the head," he said.

Bharadwaj also claimed that Kumar had not suffered major injuries, referring to what he described as a Delhi Police medical report.

He said he was cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Bharadwaj further alleged that the podcast clip being circulated on social media was misleading and claimed that the version shared by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others was fake.

Why has Chirag Paswan's name been dragged into the controversy?

The political angle emerged after Bharadwaj invoked the names of several prominent leaders while speaking about his alleged connections.

In the viral interview, he referred to Chirag Paswan as his "elder brother". He also named Delhi minister Kapil Mishra and claimed to have the support of political leaders.

The remarks created an impression that Bharadwaj enjoyed political backing and that his alleged connections may have helped him avoid action.

However, Bharadwaj has now said his comments about political leaders were made sarcastically.

Responding to allegations that he was released because of the influence of Kapil Mishra, Bharadwaj said, "Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan are like my brothers. People should understand what was said in sarcasm."

Is Swatantra Bharadwaj associated with Chirag Paswan or the LJP?

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has categorically denied any association with Bharadwaj.

The party's legal cell filed a complaint against him at Parliament Street police station in New Delhi, accusing him of falsely and publicly using the name of party president Chirag Paswan.

According to the complaint, neither Paswan nor the LJP(RV) has anything to do with Bharadwaj.

The party also said it stood with Nishu Azad and her injured father.

The complaint was filed after Bharadwaj's public claims created an impression of a personal connection with Paswan and possible political backing.

What did Chirag Paswan say?

Chirag Paswan said Bharadwaj had misused his name and attempted to create the impression that he enjoyed protection because of his association with the LJP(RV) chief.

"In public life, many people come to meet us. But if somebody claims, on this very basis to be a personal acquaintance of ours, then that is a misuse of our name," Paswan said.

He said the alleged attacker had sought to create the impression that action had not been taken against him because of Paswan and his party.

"I have lodged a formal complaint against this misuse of my name," Paswan said.

Paswan also said he was taking responsibility for ensuring justice for the family of Nishu Azad's father.

Calling the incident serious, Paswan said Kumar had been beaten severely and that the attack could have been fatal.

"The attacker has the temerity to brag about the incident on TV, and he roams scot-free," Paswan said, adding that he would pursue the matter with Delhi Police.

What has the LJP(RV) done?

The LJP(RV)'s legal cell lodged a formal complaint at Parliament Street police station against Bharadwaj over the alleged misuse of Chirag Paswan's name.

The party has maintained that Bharadwaj has no connection with either Paswan or the LJP(RV).

By filing the complaint, the party has sought to publicly distance itself from Bharadwaj's claims while extending support to Nishu Azad and her father.

With agency inputs