Union Minister Chirag Paswan files complaint against Swatantra Bhardwaj over ‘misuse’ of name - The Hindu

**Union Minister Chirag Paswan Lodges Complaint Over Alleged Misuse of His Name**

New Delhi – Union Minister Chirag Paswan, son of former Union Minister and former Lok Sabha Speaker Ram Vilas Paswan, filed a formal complaint with the Delhi Police on Monday, alleging that 21‑year‑old social media personality Swatantra Bhardwaj had “misused” his name in online content. The grievance was registered at the police station in South Delhi, where officials recorded Paswan’s statement that Bhardwaj repeatedly invoked the minister’s name in a series of videos and podcasts that portrayed the politician in a derogatory light. Paswan’s legal counsel indicated that the complaint seeks action under provisions of the Indian Penal Code that penalise defamation and impersonation, as well as the Information Technology Act for potential violations of digital communication norms.

Bhardwaj, who has risen to prominence as a viral “influencer” and is widely regarded as a digital poster child of the Hindutva ecosystem, was taken into custody by Delhi Police later that day. According to multiple media outlets—including *The Times of India*, *Hindustan Times* and *NDTV*—the authorities placed him in a one‑day remand at the police lock‑up for interrogation. The police cited “objectionable content” and “threatening remarks” that surfaced in an hour‑long podcast episode in which Bhardwaj discussed political rivalries and allegedly threatened violence against opponents. While the minister’s complaint focuses on the misuse of his name, investigators are also examining the broader context of Bhardwaj’s online activities, which have previously drawn scrutiny for extremist rhetoric and alleged incitement.

The episode underscores the growing tension between political figures and digital content creators in India’s polarized media landscape. Bhardwaj, a native of Patna, has cultivated a sizeable following by blending provocative commentary with nationalist symbolism, often courting controversy. As the investigation proceeds, legal experts anticipate that the case could set precedents regarding the limits of free expression on social platforms and the accountability of influencers who target public officials. Both the minister’s office and Bhardwaj’s legal team have declined further comment pending the outcome of the police inquiry.