Teen Dalit Activist Calls Bhardwaj's Detention 'First Step to Victory'

A teenage Dalit activist has described the detention of far-right activist Swatantra Bhardwaj as a "first step to victory," following his arrest in connection with an assault on her father during a protest in June.

Bhardwaj was taken into custody on Friday, hours after a protest was held outside the Parliament Street police station. The activist expressed satisfaction with the police response, noting that while she had given them 72 hours to act, they detained him within two and a half hours.

"This is a step towards victory, and I hope that we will soon be able to get proper action taken against him," she said.

The case stems from an incident at a Cockroach Janta Party protest where Bhardwaj allegedly attacked the activist's father. In a podcast, Bhardwaj had boasted about the assault, claiming he "cracked the skull" of the man, who required 60 stitches. He also bragged that he faced no legal consequences despite the severity of the injuries.

The activist has urged political parties not to politicise the matter, stating her sole focus is on securing justice for her father. She welcomed the distancing of politicians like Chirag Paswan from the accused and expressed trust in the police, who have assured her that all charges will be filed within seven days.

Bhardwaj's detention follows a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party, which was joined by Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad and MP Pappu Yadav. The police have invoked relevant sections, including those under the SC/ST and POCSO Acts.