A live news debate on CNN News 18 with Shehzad Poonawalla, the secretary of the Maharashtra Congress and Tarek Fatah, Pakistan-born Canadian activist took an ugly turn when the two guests got involved in a heated argument which almost escalated into a fight. The host, Bhupendra Chaubey had to intervene to calm things down.
In the video, Shehzad Poonawalla tells Fatah that the only place he has been to is a “mental asylum” and accusing him of being an ISI agent. The two can be seen spewing venom in their words throughout the 2 minute 30 second video.
Things were under control throughout the live telecast of the debate, however Poonawalla claims that Fatah hit him once the cameras stopped rolling. Poonawalla recorded a considerable part of their physical altercation on a camera (which he whipped out to expose Fatah) and posted it on Twitter:
Note: The following video contains strong language, viewer discretion is advised.
Video of TarekFatah hitting my hand & abusing me (Before recording he called me haramazada bastard) @anubhavsinha Does Visa condition permit pic.twitter.com/Gyy1lLMENN
— Shehzad Poonawalla (@Shehzad_Ind) February 21, 2017
Poonawalla however, maintained that he never got violent throughout the show. “He placed his hand on me during the show, I did not touch him even once. Even when the debate ended, he abused me and smacked my hand,” Poonawalla clarified.
Here is the video of their altercation:
‘You( @TarekFatah ) are an ISI agent’ @Shehzad_Ind to @bhupendrachaube on #Big5At10 pic.twitter.com/EX67HjYjJk
— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2017
‘I am an Indian and I will express my opinion’ @TarekFatah to @bhupendrachaube on #Big5At10 pic.twitter.com/HsPTIqK1Lj
— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2017
Soon after the video was posted, Twitterverse exploded with interesting reactions:
Congress spokesman’s hostility to @TarekFatah is expected but why Bhupendra @bhupendrachaube so nasty with Tarek? Wish Tarek wud keep calm https://t.co/0DOCNG2LnB
— MadhuPurnima Kishwar (@madhukishwar) February 21, 2017
Chaubey took to his Twitter handle to defend himself against the allegations:
Not being nasty. Was only being inquisitive https://t.co/QCnZUtMhRT
— bhupendra chaubey (@bhupendrachaube) February 21, 2017
I do not support violence in any form, most certainly in tv studios. We should debate, not debase ourselves. Feeling sad.
— bhupendra chaubey (@bhupendrachaube) February 21, 2017
Shehzad voiced his support for Chaubey:
It is not @bhupendrachaube ‘s fault that Paki agent Tarek Fatah is here & abused me & got violent- lets be fair to Bhupen https://t.co/Fa9iCm5CW7
— Shehzad Poonawalla (@Shehzad_Ind) February 21, 2017
TarekFatah called me fucker & hit my hand! If u want to stand with a Pakistani u can! I only asked Fatah not to say India shud break up https://t.co/MDhiExy0bi
— Shehzad Poonawalla (@Shehzad_Ind) February 21, 2017
Tarek Fatah meanwhile retweeted the tweets which slammed Shehzad Poonawalla:
Watch this space for more updates.
