Rajdeep Sardesai in fracas with Modi supporter outside Madison Square Garden

A little before Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his speech earlier today, a rather unfortunate incident took place outside the venue, New York's Madison Square Garden. This was supposed to be a festive day, a sold-out welcome to the Prime Minister of India, but the event was marred by an undesirable incident. Rajdeep Sardesai, one of India's best known journalists, was involved in a fight with a member of the crowd outside.

Here is the video:


Here are pictures of the aftermath.

Lol Rajdeep Sardesai almost got beaten up pic.twitter.com/xh1wNjYB7e

— Neha Srivastava (@neha_aks) September 28, 2014

 

Here is what Rajdeep Sardesai said after the incident:

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

 

Twitter was divided on whether it was Rajdeep Sardesai who initiated it or someone from the crowd. First, those who stood up for Rajdeep:

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

 

In the 11 second video I noted that - 1. Rajdeep Sardesai moved towards the heckler. 2. A man in the crowd said no & stopped the heckler.

— kaveri (@ikaveri) 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

 

There were those who saw the lighter side of things:

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

Liberals : See, the whole purpose of Modi's visit to USA was to incite the NRIs to boo Rajdeep Sardesai.

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 28, 2014

Quickly '@sardesairajdeep was just booed not assaulted' changed to 'Rajdeep charged at the crowd, he started it'

— Joy (@Joydas) September 28, 2014

Why is Rajdeep Sardesai getting heckled? Did he try to plug in his book at Madison square?

— The UnReal Times (@TheUnRealTimes) September 28, 2014

"Were you paid to attend MSG?"asks @sardesairajdeep suggesting people bribed into coming. #Loaded .Clear he can't accept Modi's popularity.

— rupa subramanya (@rupasubramanya) September 28, 2014

@VeereshMalik @beenasarwar @sunny_hundal @RobertMackey he was certainly confrontational and called one guy an asshole.

— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 28, 2014

 

Here is a longer video though still inconclusive as to who started it.