Chirag Paswan Demands Action in Jantar Mantar Assault Case, Says Name Misused
Chirag Paswan condemns assault on NEET protester's father, says accused misused his name, urges Delhi Police action.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday backed the family of a man allegedly assaulted during the NEET protests at Jantar Mantar, saying the accused had "misused" his name and that failure to act would set a "very wrong example."
Speaking in Patna, Paswan referred to a podcast in which the detained individual, Swatantra Bhardwaj, purportedly admitted to the assault. "It is an extremely serious matter that a person is openly admitting that he assaulted someone so badly that the person could have died," Paswan said, urging the Delhi Police to conduct an impartial investigation.
Paswan alleged that Bhardwaj had claimed links with several NDA leaders, including himself. He clarified that meeting a political figure in public life does not imply a personal connection. "That does not mean that the person personally knows that politician," he said, adding that such claims were "absolutely wrong" and amounted to misuse of his name.
The minister said his party stood firmly with the victim's family and daughter. He also filed a police complaint in the matter.
The case stems from an alleged assault on the father of a protester during the NEET agitation at Jantar Mantar. A video circulating online shows the daughter appealing to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for help, alleging that despite an FIR, no effective action had been taken for nearly two months. Gandhi had responded, saying there was "no need to be afraid" and alleging she was being targeted for raising her voice.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which organised the protests, condemned the incident and said the initially registered sections were minor. Following negotiations with police on Friday, relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were added to the FIR. Bhardwaj was reportedly detained on Friday evening.