YouTuber Manish Kashyap Quits BJP, Says “Couldn’t Save Myself” in Emotional Facebook Live

Popular YouTuber Manish Kashyap has officially resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), announcing his decision through an emotional Facebook Live session where he cited his inability to protect himself within the party structure. The content creator, who joined the BJP last year, expressed disappointment with his experience as a party member and hinted at exploring direct political engagement in upcoming elections.

“I couldn’t protect myself while being in the BJP. How can I help others?” Kashyap said during his live address, explaining his reasons for stepping away from the party. The announcement comes weeks after he was allegedly assaulted by junior doctors at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) following an altercation.

Kashyap’s resignation appears to be influenced by his recent experience at the medical facility, where he claims he was beaten by medical staff. The incident highlighted what he described as his ineffective role within the BJP and his inability to secure protection despite his party affiliation.

During the Facebook Live session, Kashyap indicated he felt let down by the party leadership and suggested his position had become meaningless. He emphasized that he would continue raising his voice through alternative platforms and methods, signaling a shift in his approach to activism and public engagement.

The YouTuber subtly hinted at the possibility of contesting in the upcoming assembly elections, though he stopped short of making any definitive announcements about his political future. This suggestion indicates his intention to pursue more direct political involvement outside the BJP framework.

Kashyap had joined the BJP in 2023 in the presence of prominent party leaders Manoj Tiwari and Anil Baluni. His recruitment was part of the party’s strategy to engage digital influencers and expand its reach among younger audiences through social media platforms.

This is not Kashyap’s first foray into electoral politics. He previously contested the 2020 Bihar assembly elections from the Chanpatia constituency, filing his nomination papers under his official name ‘Tripurari Kumar Tiwari’. Despite his engineering background, having completed his studies in 2016, he has focused primarily on content creation and political commentary.

Kashyap gained national attention in 2023 when he was arrested for uploading a controversial video that falsely depicted migrant laborers from Bihar being harassed in Tamil Nadu. The fabricated content triggered a significant political controversy between the two states and led to his legal troubles.

The fake video prompted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to demand an inquiry into the alleged harassment, while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin firmly denied the allegations and assured that workers from Bihar were not being targeted in his state.

Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Director General of Police Shailendra Babu had clarified at the time that the videos circulating on social media were “false and misleading” with facts twisted to create a false narrative about attacks on migrant workers.

The Madras High Court later granted bail to Kashyap, who had been arrested in March for circulating the doctored videos. The case brought him significant notoriety but also established his influence in the digital space, likely contributing to his subsequent recruitment by the BJP.