Politics
Chirag Paswan distances himself from Swatantra Bhardwaj, party files police complaint over ‘misuse’ of name; CJP takes ‘Chacha’ dig
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has sought an FIR against Swatantra Bhardwaj after his claims of political proximity to Union Minister Chirag Paswan went viral. Paswan said he would personally pursue justice for student activist Nishu Azad’s father, Sanjay Azad, who was seriously injured during a Jantar Mantar protest.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan has publicly distanced himself and his party from Swatantra Bhardwaj, after the latter allegedly invoked Paswan’s name while claiming political connections following an attack on the father of Delhi student activist Nishu Azad.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Friday approached the Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi and filed a complaint against Bhardwaj, accusing him of falsely using the Union minister’s name to suggest that he enjoyed political protection.
The controversy erupted after a lengthy interview featuring Bhardwaj went viral on YouTube. During the interview, he allegedly spoke about his political connections and described Chirag Paswan as being like his “elder brother.”
The party has now sought registration of an FIR against Bhardwaj and asked police to formally record that neither Paswan nor the LJP (Ram Vilas) has any connection with the matter.
‘Misuse of our name’: Chirag Paswan
Breaking his silence on the controversy, Paswan said that meeting someone in public life could not be treated as proof of a personal relationship.
“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.
The Hajipur MP further alleged that Bhardwaj had attempted to create an impression that action was not being taken against him because of his supposed proximity to Paswan and his party.
“I have lodged a formal complaint against this misuse of my name,” he added.
The statement represents a clear attempt by Paswan and his party to distance themselves from claims of political protection surrounding the case.
Paswan promises justice for Nishu Azad’s father
Paswan also addressed the attack on Sanjay Azad, father of student activist Nishu Azad, describing the incident as extremely serious.
According to Paswan, Sanjay Azad was beaten so severely that the assault could have proved fatal.
“It is indeed a serious matter that the student activist’s father was beaten so severely that he could have died,” Paswan said.
He also questioned how a person accused in such a serious incident could allegedly speak openly about the assault while remaining free.
Paswan said he was “taking full responsibility” for ensuring justice for the family and would pursue the case with the Delhi Police.
His intervention came amid mounting political and social-media pressure over the handling of the case.
CJP responds with sarcastic ‘Chacha’ remark
Paswan’s clarification quickly triggered reactions from political figures and activists.
CJP co-convener Saurav Das took a sarcastic swipe at the controversy on X, posting: “Chacha toh vidhayak the humare??”
The remark appeared to mock earlier claims allegedly made by Bhardwaj about his political proximity and connections.
The CJP reaction also highlighted the larger question that has surrounded the controversy: whether Bhardwaj’s references to influential politicians reflected genuine connections or were simply an attempt to project political clout.
Paswan’s party has categorically rejected any suggestion that Bhardwaj enjoyed its protection.
Supriya Shrinate reacts
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also joined the political exchange.
Reacting to Paswan’s decision to distance himself and lodge a complaint, Shrinate said the man she described as a “hate-monger” had been publicly referring to Paswan as his “brother”, but the Union minister was now the first to distance himself.
She added that the remaining “illusions” surrounding such claims would also break one after another.
Her remarks added another political layer to a case that had already attracted considerable attention because of Bhardwaj’s alleged statements in the viral interview.
ALSO READ : ‘Even If He Ties a Bell Around a Dog, Vote for Him’: SP Leader’s Akhilesh Yadav Remark Sparks Political Firestorm in UP
What happened at Jantar Mantar?
The controversy traces back to a July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar involving the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
During the protest, Sanjay Azad, father of student activist Nishu Azad, was allegedly assaulted and suffered serious injuries.
The matter received renewed attention after a video clip from an interview circulated widely online in which Bhardwaj was allegedly heard boasting about “cracking the skull” of Sanjay Azad.
The remarks sparked outrage and intensified demands for police action.
Bhardwaj detained from Bulandshahr
Hours after pressure mounted over the viral video and protests were held outside the Parliament Street Police Station, Bhardwaj was detained from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
The development followed an agitation by CJP supporters, after which Delhi Police had reportedly assured protesters that Bhardwaj would be arrested within 72 hours.
His detention, combined with the complaint filed by Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas), marks a significant development in a controversy that has rapidly expanded beyond the original assault allegation.
The focus will now be on the next legal steps taken by Delhi Police, including the precise status of Bhardwaj following his detention and whether an FIR is registered on the separate complaint concerning the alleged misuse of Paswan’s name.
For Paswan, meanwhile, the political message is clear: he has rejected Bhardwaj’s claims of personal proximity and publicly committed himself to pursuing justice for Sanjay Azad and his family.
