'Will Do Again If...': Man Who Hit Student's Father As CJP Protests In Delhi
Social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has defended his physical assault on a student activist's father, claiming it was an act of self-defense during a protest. Despite previously boasting about the attack on a podcast, he now claims his earlier comments were made in a joking manner.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of political polarization, influencer culture, and the potential for real-world violence stemming from online rhetoric.
Swatantra Bhardwaj, an influencer accused of attacking a student activist's father on the head during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in June, has claimed that it was an act of "self-defense" since he was on the verge of being lynched by a mob.In a conversation with NDTV, Bhardwaj, a self-proclaimed Hindu and Gau Rakshak (cow protector), said that he struck the protester's father with his iron bracelet in self-defense."I struck Nishu's father on the head with my kada (iron bracelet) in self-defense," he told NDTV.Bhardwaj didn't appear to have any remorse.
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