Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai recently interviewed the former president, Pranab Mukherjee. Soon after the interview was broadcast, his critics took to Twitter applauding Mukherjee for scolding the journalist.
One user, who posted the clip of Mukherjee expressing his displeasure on being iterrupted by Rajdeep, wrote, “Pranab da teaches @sardesairajdeep the lessen for life reminds him about protocol amazing!!”
Far from being fazed by criticism, Rajdeep replied, “My job to ask questions, Pranab da job to respond. Most other journalists would have edited this: I believe all must be aired!”
Pranab da teaches @sardesairajdeep the lessen for life reminds him about protocol amazing!! #OutreachOfStupidJournalim ?? pic.twitter.com/k4ZEU28HRi
— Dil Se Desh (@Dilsedesh) October 14, 2017
Mukherjee had told Rajdeep in the interview, “Let me complete. You have this habit..I’m sorry to remind you that you are interviewing the former president.Have the necessary courtesy…I am not eager to appear on the screen. You have invited me. Firstly you cannot raise your voice.”
Rajdeep’s critics, who are predominantly the supporters of right-wing politics, were elated over how Mukherjee ‘slammed’ him during the interview. However, not many knew that the former president had remembered to apologise for his angry reaction as the journalist ended his conversation with him.
Mukherjee said, “Thank you Rajdeep, sorry for I become little rude to you.”
Rajdeep responded by saying there was nothing for Mukherjee to apologise for as he always took that as a ‘positive statement.’
@CitiznMukherjee apologize to @sardesairajdeep after being rude to him at beginning of interview, But Bhakt will not post this video. ? pic.twitter.com/3MJ5VNN3jJ
— Abdul ✋? (@GuruJiPolitical) October 14, 2017
The journalist, however, earned plenty of plaudits for not getting his interview edited to save him embarrassment. Then there were those who felt the former president’s behaviour smacked of his utter arrogance, which had no place in a democracy.
Brave of you to post this and say it as it is!! But equally disheartening to c a former president call himself “u r talking to former pres”
— Vinnay Bb (@vinaayb79) October 14, 2017
Good…you did not edit…
— J Gopikrishnan (@jgopikrishnan70) October 14, 2017
Very fair point. Any other would have edited it out. Thanks for keeping the transparency of journalism. Very few left of your tribe.
— Tinu Cherian Abraham (@tinucherian) October 15, 2017
I don’t understand why President overreacted, neither was Rajdeep rude nor overbearing,the fact he reminded him of his position,unbecoming
— Kirty Kochar (@KirtyKochar) October 15, 2017
This is absolutely unacceptable for such behaviour from a former president @CitiznMukherjee
— Agniv Datta (@neocool14) October 14, 2017