India TV Debate on Divorce in Islam Erupts into Violence

A debate on divorce in Islam, broadcast live on Zee Hindustan TV, turned violent, with Islamic scholar Maulana Ejaz Arshad Qasmi slapping liberal Muslim activist Farah Faiz repeatedly after she slapped him first. The entire studio erupted into a scene of pandemonium, with crew members and other participants in the debate trying to restrain Maulana Qasmi. The host later demanded that Maulana Qasmi, who hit Farah Faiz, apologize to the nation for raising a hand against a woman, though the host made no such demand of Farah Faiz, who slapped the cleric first. Farah Faiz is an advocate of the Indian Supreme Court as well as president of Rashtriya Muslim Mahila Sangathan, an organization created by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Indian Hindu nationalist network. The debate involved the case of Nida Khan, who participated in it via satellite. Khan, a victim of instant divorce, challenged the authority of the Barelvi clergy – into whose family she had been married – after they issued a fatwa against her for defamation of Islam and had called to excommunicate her. The debate aired on July 18, 2018.

Sabeena Tamang: "Nida Khan, Nida Khan, I'd like to get to you... Sir, wait... Madam, wait... Nida Khan, I would like to get to you... Whatever is happening, whatever is going on... One second, Sir... Please, please... Whatever is happening, whatever is going on... OK, wait... This doesn't sound good."

Man: "We're human too. How much can we tolerate?"

Sabeena Tamang: "It's a one-hour show. Wait, wait... Nida Khan, you tell us..."

Man: "You are the animal here..."

Sabeena Tamang: "What kind of language is that?"

Panelists continue yelling at one another until Farah Faiz slaps Maulana Ejaz Arshad Qasmi and he responds by hitting her repeatedly.

[...]

Sabeena Tamang: "We do not promote [violence] at all. Qasmi Sahab has committed an act of bad manners. In my opinion, he should apologize to the entire nation. He should, since he raised his hand on a woman. This kind of bad manners will not be tolerated on any outlet of media, which is the fourth estate of democracy. This is shameless. How can we [allow] such bad manners here?"