'Will Do Again If...': Man Who Hit Student's Father As CJP Protests In Delhi - NDTV

**Man Who Struck Student’s Father During Delhi CJP Protest Says He’d Do It Again**

Delhi – On 22 September, a heated clash broke out outside the Parliament Police Station when members of the CJP (Campus‑Justice Platform) staged a sit‑in to demand stricter action against right‑wing agitators. The protest turned violent after Swatantra Bhardwaj, a self‑styled “Hindutva influencer,” approached a group of students and their families. According to eyewitnesses and video footage circulated on social media, Bhardwaj forcefully struck the father of a student, allegedly cracking the man’s skull. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed a serious head injury but said he was stable.

The incident ignited a wave of outrage across Delhi’s civil‑society circles. The CJP, alongside several student unions and human‑rights NGOs, lodged an official complaint with the Delhi Police, demanding Bhardwaj’s immediate arrest and a thorough investigation. The group also organized a second march to the Parliament Police Station, urging authorities to act against what they termed “impunity for Hindutva‑aligned violence.” In a press conference, CJP spokesperson Ananya Sharma said, “We will not tolerate anyone who uses intimidation to silence dissent. The law must hold him accountable, or we will keep pressing for justice.”

Bhardwaj later posted a video on his Instagram handle attempting to re‑frame the episode as an act of self‑defence, claiming the father had approached him aggressively. In the same post, he back‑tracked on a previous statement where he boasted about “cracking the skull” of his opponent, now describing the comment as a “misinterpretation.” Legal experts note that the self‑defence claim will be scrutinised against forensic evidence and medical reports. The Delhi Police have opened a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with voluntarily causing grievous hurt, but have not yet disclosed any arrest warrants. The episode adds to a growing list of confrontations between right‑wing influencers and student activists ahead of upcoming electoral contests.