Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his maiden visit to the US. While he is doing his best to be the country’s brand advocate by getting maximum interest from investors and projecting a different outlook of the country, well-known senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai has landed into a controversy.
Rajdeep, who is the consulting editor at India Today is in the US covering the Modi visit. Yesterday the journalist was heckled and then pushed near Madison Square Garden by a group gathered to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports NDTV.
The matter came into light when journalist James Fontanella Khan tweeted about the incident. Later Rajdeep also tweeted about the unfortunate incident that took place right before Modi’s speech at Madison Square.
Mob of people attacking an Indian journalist for being critical of Modi on the past. Accused if being a traitor pic.twitter.com/6xOJTWAxaO
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 28, 2014
so to reply to many yes the journalist you was attacked was @sardesairajdeep – in fairness a lot of people came to his defence even if (1/2)
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 28, 2014
(2/2) they told me that they disagree wit him. Mood outside MSG back to being very festive — James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 28, 2014
Great crowd at Modison square garden! except a few idiots who still believe abuse is a way of proving their machismo! #ModiAtMadison
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 28, 2014
Glad we caught the idiots on cam. Only way to shame the mob is to show them. #ModiAtMadison — Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 28, 2014
Here is the video which was initially doing the rounds on social media and got support for the unwanted incident.
This led to a further support for the journalist which saw the emergence of the hashtag #IStandWithRajdeep. The hashtag has been trending at the top of the Twitter India Trends.
Seen the video frame by frame. Man in yellow kurta started fight by grabbing @SardesaiRajdeep‘s shirt. Belongs in a prison cell. — Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 28, 2014
Just saw the footage of @sardesairajdeep attack. Cannot expect bhaktas to be civil and tolerant to voices of dissent. Proud of you rajdeep — Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) September 28, 2014
V sorry to see my former boss @sardesairajdeep assaulted. Don’t be cowed down by thugs. Whatever their political views, this is inexcusable.
— sarah jacob (@sjacobtalk) September 28, 2014
Rajdeep is a great patriot, great nationalist and fiercely independent journalist. Whole nation is with him except a few gunda fascists .
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 28, 2014
Attack on @sardesairajdeep is condemnable.Such incidents-becoming rampant-threaten the very spirit of free speech! pic.twitter.com/No9Ew5ktXQ — Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) September 28, 2014
Condemn behaviour of Modi supporters with Rajdeep. Shouldn’t Modi apologise ? Modi should practise what he preaches. — digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) September 29, 2014
After Modi’s landmark address to a crowd of 18,000 at Madison Square Garden ended, Rajdeep shared one more tweet that also reflected his anguish of the event that happened earlier in the day.
Super speech by Modi; not so super behaviour by some bhakts. Guess some things won’t change.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 28, 2014
With a new week starting many would have thought that the incident might settle down. However, social media is now viewing another video which shows how things shaped up. The video shows Rajdeep charging up first by hurling abusive words on one of the Modi supporters.
The entire episode has now two sides to tell. In fact, journalist James Fontanella Khan had later tweeted that Rajdeep was confrontational and he used abusive language too.
@VeereshMalik @beenasarwar @sunny_hundal @RobertMackey he was certainly confrontational and called one guy an asshole.
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 28, 2014
Rajdeep has responded to the latest video, calling it a selective video and labeling himself as the victim of entire episode. Besides he has asked his fans and haters on social media to read a Facebook post of Achint Sharma who happens to share another version of the story too.
First, Kick and abuse while I am on cam asking questions, then release video selectively. Rule of the mob.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 29, 2014
However, not everyone is happy with Rajdeep’s claim:
Saw Sardesai Video, As Lawyer my advise to NRI- 1. Lodge a assault case 2. Sue for Damages Video clear proof, NRI would WIN CASE.
— Ishkaran S. Bhandari (@Ish_Bhandari) September 29, 2014
What a Shame. Apparently Rajdeep Sardesai has been attacked by mob of Bhakts at Madison Square in U.S for criticising “Dear Leader” in past
— Joy (@Joydas) September 28, 2014
It takes special talent to spend lakhs, reach America just to criticize Modi and get massive abuses in return. Rajdeep Sardesai, salute _/\_
— Bhak Sala (@bhak_sala) September 28, 2014
Among 50+ Indian journalists at #ModiAtMadison, only one gets slapped. That must say a LOT about him! #RajdeepSlapped
— Kiran Kumar S (@KiranKS) September 28, 2014
With the latest video doing extensive rounds on Facebook and Twitter, the verdict is clear. Time to leave the issue right here and move ahead since both sides have an equal share in creating this unnecessary event at a time when the PM is doing his level best to present a young and brighter picture of our country.
