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National Students' Union of India National President (NSUI) Vinod Jakhar on Friday condemned the alleged violent assault on CJP activist Nishu Azad and her father near Jantar Mantar, criticising local authorities for failing to register a timely FIR, framing the incident as a severe blow to democratic accountability.
Speaking to ANI, Vinod Jakhar addressed the fallout from the protest and highlighted the immediate vulnerability faced by protestors seeking legal recourse in the capital. He said, "The movement that was ongoing at Jantar Mantar, Nishu was a part of that movement. When she came with her father, a BJP-supported activist broke her father's head and openly said in front of the media that no FIR was filed against him and admitted that an FIR should have been filed. Questioning the administration's responsiveness, he added, When they (Nishu Azad) are facing rejection at every door, even to get an FIR registered, then where is democracy left in this country? Where is accountability left? Rahul Gandhi has been standing with Nishu and her family from day one. We will fight their battle with strength." The criticism was swiftly amplified by senior Congress leaders who, while speaking to ANI, pointed to broader law-and-order lapses in central Delhi. Congress leader Abhishek Dutt accused assailants of boasting about political support and evading police custody after fracturing a protester's skull, demanding that national leadership intervene and enforce strict measures. He said, The way BJP goons take the names of their high command on social media, claiming 'Kapil Mishra is my brother' or 'I know Modi ji,' while boasting about how they cracked someone's head open and roamed all night freely without the police doing anything... Today, BJP goons are overpowering the Home Minister's Delhi Police... The Prime Minister and the Home Minister themselves should take cognizance of this and send a strong message to the nation. Such goons should face such massive bulldozer action on their homes that no one else dares to do the same..." Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj underscored the sensitivity of the Jantar Mantar and Sansad Marg zones, arguing that violent incidents occurring under the administrative watch of the Prime Minister and Home Minister undermine the constitutional rule of law. He said, The person who attacked Nishu is a goon. He openly claims that the police have done nothing to him and cannot do anything either...this thuggery is taking place right under the government's nose. Areas like Jantar Mantar and Sansad Marg are considered to be under the direct or indirect supervision of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister; they are highly sensitive zones, yet right under their very noses, a criminal or goon assaults those who are struggling for the sake of democracy and protesting against the NEET exam. This makes a mockery of the Constitution; it seems the rule of law has ceased to exist," Udit Raj added. The remarks came amid mounting opposition protests and growing political pressure over police inaction after from a viral podcast clip in which Swatantra Bhardwaj allegedly discussed the Jantar Mantar incident, which went viral and prompted widespread outrage. On the other hand, Months after the NEET protest at Jantar Mantar, tensions flared at the Parliament Street Police Station as spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka gathered there to demand strict action against Swatantra Bhardwaj, after a video of him went viral in which he purportedly claimed that, despite allegedly attacking the father of activist Nishu Azad, he didn't go to jail because of his political connections. The CJP delegation reached the police station, seeking justice for Nishu and her father, Sanjay. Heavy police deployment was seen at the station as the situation unfolded. Amid the escalating claims and counter-claims, the DCP (New Delhi) has said that the injuries sustained by Sanjay were "simple in nature". "The injuries were made by a kada and not by any weapon. The misinformation regarding a crack in the skull is not supported by facts/ MLC and is completely baseless," the DCP said on X. "On his statement, a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at PS Parliament Street. They were detained from the site and, during investigation, Suraj Kumar (24) and Swatantra Bhardwaj (21) were served notices as per law and were interrogated. Due legal action has been taken, and a chargesheet would be filed before the competent court soon. Any allegation of undue influence or interference in the matter is factually incorrect and baseless. The matter has been dealt with strictly in accordance with law and procedures," the DCP added. The controversy escalated after Nishu Azad posted a video message stating that her father needed stitches after the alleged attack by Bhardwaj. "A video of Swatantra Bhardwaj is circulating throughout the country in which he himself is accepting that he hit my father's head and should be charged under Section 307 for attempted murder. When he hit my father's head and my father had to get stitches, we filed an FIR against him. But the police are not doing anything. It's been more than a month and a half. The police are not doing anything. They are fooling us and keeping us busy in the name of medical examinations. My hope from the Delhi Police is completely broken now. Now my only hope is from Rahul Gandhi ji. I believe you will help me get justice," she said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with other opposition leaders, has since come out in support of Nishu, targeting the central government amid the escalating tensions. (ANI)
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