Swati Maliwal Faces Severe Threats Following AAP’s Alleged Character Assassination Campaign

NEW DELHI – Swati Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has reported receiving rape and death threats after what she describes as a “character assassination” campaign led by party leaders and volunteers. Maliwal’s allegations have sparked serious concerns over the political environment and the treatment of women within the party.

In a detailed post on X, Maliwal accused the AAP leadership of pressuring her to withdraw a complaint she filed against Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Maliwal’s complaint alleges that Kumar assaulted her, leading to a significant backlash from party supporters and leaders.

“After the leaders and volunteers of my party, i.e., AAP, orchestrated a campaign of character assassination, victim shaming, and fanning of emotions against me, I have been getting rape and death threats. This got further exacerbated when YouTuber @Dhruv_Rathee posted a one-sided video against me,” Maliwal stated.

Expressing her frustration, Maliwal noted her attempts to reach out to Dhruv Rathee to present her side of the story, which were ignored. She criticized the YouTuber for publishing a video that, in her view, unfairly portrayed her and overlooked critical points of her case.

“The manner in which the entire party machinery and its supporters have attempted to vilify and shame me speaks volumes about their stand on women’s issues. I am reporting these rape and death threats to @DelhiPolice. I hope they take strong action against the perpetrators,” Maliwal said, adding a stark warning: “In any case, if something happens to me, we know who instigated it.”

The situation escalated when Bibhav Kumar, who had been a former personal secretary to Arvind Kejriwal, was arrested on May 18. The arrest came days after the alleged assault on Maliwal at the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence on May 13. Kumar has since sought bail, with the court issuing a notice to Delhi Police to respond to his application.

Maliwal’s revelations have opened a broader discussion on the challenges women face in politics, particularly regarding safety and character attacks. The threats she has received underscore the severe consequences of internal political conflicts spilling over into public harassment and violence.

As the case progresses, all eyes are on the Delhi Police to see how they handle the investigation and ensure the safety of Maliwal. Meanwhile, the AAP’s response to these serious allegations and internal strife will likely influence public perception and the party’s approach to addressing women’s issues within its ranks.

This incident raises significant questions about the accountability of political parties and their responsibility towards protecting their members from harassment and threats. The ongoing developments will be crucial in understanding the dynamics of internal party politics and the measures necessary to safeguard individuals against such severe repercussions.

Stay tuned to our news blog for continued coverage and updates on this developing story.