India, Sept. 4 -- Self-styled 'influencer' Swatantra Bhardwaj is in the centre of a political row following his remarks on a podcast wherein he admitted to assaulting a student protester Nishu Aazad's father, a statement he later denied.

Bhardwaj, who has a sizeable social media presence, has posted several videos on his social media profile targeting the CJP agitation. The 'influencer' currently has 187k followers on his Instagram account, and has posted reels lauding the lathicharge and police action on students during the students' protest at Jantar Mantar.

He describes himself as a "Swatantra Sanatani Yodha" on his profile. Bhardwaj's Instagram bio further says, "We are Brahmins in knowledge. We are kshatriyas on the battlefield. We...