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Shahi Imam's supporters and media in shoving match at PM's residence
Zee News' reporter punched by Imam's man, reporter tries to hit back and fails.
BY LONAPPAN T OUSEPPACHAN
April 18, 2006
| Imam
Syed Ahmed Bukhari |
| Last
famous for: |
| Supporting
9/11 attacks. Said that as long
as US refused to apologise for
attacks on Muslims, there was no
question of regretting the
attacks. |
Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari's supporters got into a shoving match and fisticuffs with the media
present outside Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence today when reporters demanded that the Imam stay longer to answer their questions.
This is not exactly going to be easy PR for the Shahi Imam, and generally, we love to see pubic figures caught on camera looking completely undignified. The imam did not fare well - angry face and bloodshot eyes do not exactly a religious leader make. We wish there were more of the same - supporters of religious figures trying to box TV reporters, and the entire thing being caught on camera. Alas, now we will have to wait for a performance that beats this for a long time.
Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari had gone to meet the PM to submit a set of recommendations on development of the Muslim community. After answering a few questions, the imam turned back, and the reporters insisted that he answer a few more questions.
What happened next is confusing - it seems that a Zee News correspondent Yuzuf Ansari asked a question on reservations for Muslims. The Zee News website reports that instead of the imam, his brother turned around, looked at Yuzuf Ansari and said that “I have seen your report…you better stay in your limits” (Indicating a report filed by the correspondent on Jama Masjid). “We will not spare you…we will set you right,” he threatened.
Then, Zee News site goes on to say that "the Imam’s supporters got enraged and tried to box Yusuf Ansari, then threw a mike at him and other things over the barricade." We do not have independent confirmation of this. However, on TV, we could see a supporter trying to punch a reporter, connecting somewhat, and the reporter swinging back. Then there was prolonged screaming and shouting, Imam looking like he is going to right away invite divine retribution on the reporters around and adding his own loud voice and angry face to the melee.
The Zee News site further states that "the imam's cavalcade almost drove over the media people". Make what you will of that.
PTI reported that after the scuffle, the media refused to let the imam's cavalcade move and police had to intervene. TV correspondents on NDTV and CNN-IBN said that the SPG posted outside watched the proceedings 'mutely'. We also had a sheepish home minister Shivraj Patil trying to console the media people and promising that he will fix everything.
Disappointed that this is no big news? Of course it isn't, but on a boring afternoon, sometimes one has to lower one's standards. True, it would have been much more shocking and livened up our afternoon if the supporter and the mediaperson challenged each other to the duel in front of the PM's residence, and the opposing groups clapped and cheered them on as they rolled on the road. However, no such thing happened and we have to make do with crumbs. Here's wishing much more entertaining fisticuffs next time.
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