On Friday (26th July), BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi came down heavily on Rajdeep Sardesai after the latter accused her of ‘attacking’ the cameraman of the India Today group.
Ilmi had left the primetime debate of the ‘propagandist masquerading as journalist’ half-way after he asked to cut off the mic of the BJP spokesperson. Despite this, the cameraman kept filming without her consent, leading to a physical altercation.
In a tweet, Shazia Ilmi stated, “Don’t you ever bring down my Fader again. Remember I have been on both the sides and know how to handle bullies like you. BTW it doesn’t behove political propagandists masquerading as journalists to sermonise.”
Ma’am, @shaziailmi I respect all my guests always. If anything, I am too indulgent: the fader is lowered only to avoid cross talk and noise on the show. If you have a grouse with me or with an army general on the show, of course that’s your prerogative. And I respect that too.… https://t.co/43atjurw75 pic.twitter.com/VjfmrrGWsz
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 27, 2024
Rajdeep Sardesai was quick to play the ‘victim card’ and accuse the BJP spokesperson of assaulting the cameraman. “I respect all my guests always. If anything, I am too indulgent: the fader is lowered only to avoid cross talk and noise on the show. If you have a grouse with me or with an army general on the show, of course that’s your prerogative. And I respect that too,” he claimed in a tweet.
“But for you to chuck the Mike and abuse our video journalist and throw him out of your house is just NOT done. He was only doing his job. No excuse for bad behaviour. The rest I leave to you. Have a good weekend (the video below is from last night…” he continued.
Sardesai had also shared a video of the physical altercation. Shazia Ilmi thanked the propagandist for providing video evidence and called out the ‘pervert’ cameraman for zooming on her chest.
“Why on earth would I stay on your show when you humiliate me and say CUT SHAZIA’s Mike off ? Only because I asked you whether you think all the Defence Chiefs are lying. Don’t know about you but I have SELF RESPECT,” she tweeted.
@sardesairajdeep@IndiaToday
— Shazia Ilmi (@shaziailmi) July 27, 2024
Thanks for providing me with the EVIDENCE which clearly shows how your camera man behaved after the show
1. Why on earth would I stay on your show when you humiliate me and say CUT SHAZIA’s Mike off ? Only because I asked you whether you think all…
The BJP spokesperson detailed the problematic behaviour of the cameraman, which forced her to evict him from her house.
“Your cameraman watched me struggle as I got up and continued to film me trying to remove my mike, instead of helping me with the wheelchair. Why was he still continuing to focus on MY UPPER BODY showing it up close. It was so uncomfortable for me and I felt most embarrassed,” she pointed out.
“Any lady would tell you that focussing on their chest is a clear NO NO. I could see this live on screen and requested him not to film me any or switch off the camera light. The pervert cameraman continued to film me despite my obvious physical and emotional discomfort after the show was over. Why ? Why would he keep filming him in my home, my SAFE place against my WILL? And that too, AFTER the show?” Shazia Ilmi asked.
“Just because you’re a famous anchor (just as much you’re a sore loser) doesn’t mean you can humiliate people who call you out and force your crews on people , beyond the brief and violate their private space. And I dare India Today to show footage of my upper body and chest again. I will take this matter up seriously as I was deeply hurt and humiliated by this behaviour,” she warned.
@sardesairajdeep @IndiaToday
— Shazia Ilmi (@shaziailmi) July 27, 2024
अपनी बदतमीज़ी का प्रमाण देने के लिए शुक्रिया !
मेरा घर मेरी सफ़ेद स्पेस है!!
Not Against my will! @JPNadda@anil_baluni @PratyushKanth @Shehzad_Ind @PremShuklaBJP @pradip103 @tuhins @TimesAlgebraIND @wokeflix_ @neelkantbakshi… pic.twitter.com/UFV0K9x9JG
The BJP spokesperson concluded, “I have a right to choose what I want up show on air and I object to the lens focusing on my body and not my face AFTER the show. It’s my house and I’m curious whether your wife would entertain a crew shooting her remove her mike from up close and then follow her around after show. Thanks for providing this VIDEO EVIDENCE, which clearly shows how the lecherous cameraman is continuing to film me despite me not wanting to be ON air.”
