Who is Nishu Azad? All About CJP Activist Draws Rahul Gandhi Oppn Support In Jantar Mantar Attack | Today’s news

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) representatives on Friday said that the Delhi Police has assured that self-styled Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bharadwaj, the man accused of assaulting the father of student activist Nishu Azad during a protest at Jantar Mantar, will be arrested within 72 hours.

The assurance came a day after a video clip of an interview with Bharadwaj, who describes himself as a ‘Kattar Hindu’ (hardline Hindu), went viral in which he claimed to have “smashed the skull” of Sanjay Kumar, Nish’s father, during a protest and said he had escaped jail despite the gravity of the alleged offence.

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The CJP, who organized the protest where the incident took place, is demanding Bharadwaj’s arrest, saying the police did not take adequate action against him.

Who is Nishu Azad?

Nishu Azad is a student activist associated with the CJP who came into the limelight after her father was allegedly assaulted during a protest near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Nishu’s father, Sanjay Azad, sustained head injuries during the clash at Jantar Mantar.

Nishu came into limelight during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in June 2026. She gained attention after videos showed her distributing food as part of a symbolic protest.

Nishu protested outside the Parliament Street police station along with political leaders like Chandra Shekhar Aazad to demand strict legal action. She has reportedly faced severe online harassment, abuse and threats of rape from supporters of the accused person.

What is the controversy?

The controversy intensified on Thursday after police said 38-year-old Kumar suffered a simple head injury in the scuffle and rejected claims his skull had been cracked.

Police said Bharadwaj and another accused, Suraj Kumar, were detained at the spot, questioned and served notices and that a charge sheet would be filed.

On Friday, CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, scores of supporters and MPs Chandrashekhar Azad and Pappu Yadav arrived at the Parliament Street police station to take action against Bharadwaj.

Many CJP supporters also gathered outside the police station and raised slogans demanding justice for Nisha and action against the self-proclaimed Hindutva influencer.

What did Nishu Azad claim?

Nishu said the police assured the delegation that Bharadwaj would be arrested within 72 hours.

“The police said they will arrest Swatantra within 72 hours. We believe they will take action and will not keep delaying it as they have been doing,” she told reporters.

Nishu also claimed that she faced verbal abuse and rape after the incident and said that she has lodged an FIR in the matter.

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“I was ashamed to come out at all. I couldn’t go to school for a few weeks, I feel like everyone is judging me. I hope the police intervene,” she said.

Rishabh, associated with the AICC legal department, said the delegation demanded that charges of attempt to murder, provisions of the SC/ST Act and intimidation be added to the FIR.

“The demand was to add important charges left out – attempt to murder, SC/ST Act, criminal intimidation charges. They agreed and assured that he would be arrested in 72 hours,” he said.

He said the police had also assured the delegation that a separate FIR would be registered over the alleged online abuse and inappropriate images directed at Nisha.

Das said the additional DCP has undertaken to add provisions of attempt to murder and SC/ST Act to the FIR regarding the alleged attack on Nishu’s father.

“Fools like Swatantra Bharadwaj came to Jantar Mantar. Didn’t Delhi Police identify them? He attempted murder. Delhi Police is rescuing him, nothing was done,” Das said.

He said the police had also assured them that an FIR would be registered for the threats against Nisha and the provisions of the POCSO Act would be added.

“Delhi Police has secured action within 72 hours. We hope Delhi Police will not let the goons have a free hand,” Das said.

Das said the CJP’s representatives would return to the police station if the police did not fulfill their obligations.

“We have come here, we have spoken to the Delhi Police. If they do not fulfill the commitment, we will have to go back. The Delhi Police should fulfill their commitment. We stand with the students,” he said.

The CJP also questioned why Bharadwaj was allowed to remain at large after the Jantar Mantar incident.

MP from Nagina Chandrasekhar Azad also protested.

Azad Samaj Party chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad criticized the police for not taking action against Bharadwaj.

“We all saw how the accused made a public appearance on TV channels and confessed to the allegations against him. He said they wanted to kill the victim, assaulted her and injured her. But the police did not arrest them,” Azad said.

“They were simply served notices and allowed to leave. The accused intimidates the victim. He gives status updates, threatens to disturb the peace of the country and targets Muslims. He does everything that could harm the harmony and unity of the community in the country,” he said.

Azad said Nishu was repeatedly threatened with rape, acid burns and death.

“They are scared. If this is the situation in the state capital, one can imagine what the situation must be in the rural areas. We met the police officials and they assured me that they are investigating the matter and making arrests…” he said.

Viral video with Bharadwaj

The viral podcast with Bhardwaj further sparked outrage over the brazen admission of the brutal attack on Nishu’s father.

In the hour-long interview, which is available on YouTube, Bharadwaj also claimed to have political connections.

“I have the blessings of Hanuman on 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.

Bhardwaj is seen openly claiming that he assaulted Nishu’s father Sanjay Kumar and “shattered his skull” during the protest.

“We killed Nishu’s father… Do you know what kind of crime do you think this is? Half murder. Section 307. Seven taka were shot in the head. Banda was lying dead in the ambulance. His daughter was standing outside the police station saying that if my father does not get justice, we will be killed?” he said on the podcast.

(I hit Nishu’s father in the head. Do you know what section this crime is under? Section 307. He needed 60 stitches. The man was taken away by ambulance in a serious condition. His daughter was standing outside the police station saying that if her father does not get justice, he will die by suicide)

CJP’s Das said BJP leaders should clarify their claims.

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“If the goon is openly saying that Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan called and he was fired, the BJP top brass should clarify,” he said.

What did Nishu say over the police assurance?

Nishu told news agencies on Friday afternoon that the Delhi Police had assured us that Swatantra would be arrested within 72 hours. They have promised to take action and we hope there will be no further delay, she said.

“His supporters abused me for days and threatened to rape me. I filed a complaint against them too. This incident affected me deeply. I stopped going to school for weeks and felt everyone was judging me. I hope the police will now intervene and ensure that I don’t have to suffer any more,” Nishu told news agencies.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC), came out in support of the student protester and criticized the BJP government.

Rahul, other Oppn leaders provide support

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi questioned the lack of action against Bhardwaj and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah why the influencer was enjoying their “protection”.

If he does not fulfill the commitment, we will have to return. Delhi Police should fulfill its commitment.

“Nish, there is no need to panic. I am with you. It is clear that you are a target because you are raising your voice for the rights of your community and students. On one hand, Amit Shah’s Delhi Police is committing inhuman brutality on students. On the other hand, a criminal who smashed the head of a dalit girl’s father wrote,” Rahulhi wanders in the open.

He tagged Modi and Shah in the post and asked, “Why does such a criminal have the protection of you and people in your group? Will there be action now or will you continue to protect someone?”