AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar on Friday after he joined a protest and alleged that male police personnel had mishandled women protesters at the site.

Bharadwaj made the allegation while speaking about the police action, claiming that he was also scratched during the confrontation. He alleged that the conduct of the police reflected the directions being given by the government.

The AAP leader had reached Jantar Mantar despite restrictions around the protest. Shortly before his detention, he said police personnel, including the SHO, had been stationed outside his residence.

“I came along. The SHO sat outside my home the whole night. Right now, police personnel are outside my home, even after I told them that I am not at my residence,” Bharadwaj said.

He said he had travelled to the protest site using public transport, taking the metro and then an auto. Bharadwaj said his total travel cost was Rs 91 and used his journey to urge others to make their way to Jantar Mantar despite the restrictions.

After his detention, Bharadwaj shared a video on X claiming that he and AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha had been detained even though the demonstration was peaceful.

He called on supporters to gather at Jantar Mantar and continue the protest, while repeatedly urging them to maintain peace.

Addressing concerns over police deployment and the closure of some metro stations, Bharadwaj said people could still reach the protest site.

He also framed the demonstration as an issue concerning democracy and freedom, calling on protesters to pursue their demands through constitutional and peaceful means.

“I want to tell all our young friends, boys, girls, and elders, that I have arrived alone, without any car, without any horse, and without any companion,” Bharadwaj told reporters.

He said the protest should continue through peaceful and constitutional means, adding that there was “no other option”.

With agency inputs