Maulana Sajid Rashidi, a familiar face on Indian TV debates and no stranger to controversy, found himself at the receiving end of a studio smackdown on Tuesday.

The cleric, who recently made derogatory remarks about Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, was allegedly assaulted by two unidentified men inside the News Nation studio. A video of the moment is now doing the rounds on social media.

Rashidi had kicked up a storm on Republic Bharat by comparing Yadav – seen in a sari during a mosque visit – to fellow SP MP Iqra Hasan, who had covered her head. The BJP latched onto the remarks, accusing the SP of hypocrisy and demanding answers. Several NDA MPs even staged a protest in the parliament complex, calling Rashidi’s comments “misogynistic and inflammatory”. An FIR was filed against him.

Then came Tuesday. In what appears to be retribution, two men walked up to Rashidi mid-show and slapped him repeatedly. “This is not allowed here,” a woman is heard saying in the video as studio staff scramble to intervene.

The attackers haven’t been identified, but many suspect links to the Samajwadi Party. So far, News Nation and the police haven’t issued any statement.

Speaking to Newslaundry, Rashidi called the assault “deliberate,” claiming it was filmed and circulated intentionally. He said it happened right after the 2 PM debate wrapped up, and that he’d been receiving threats for days. He plans to file a police complaint.

Founder of the All India Imam Association and arguably one of the most controversial clerics on Indian primetime, Rashidi runs a Haj tour business and lives in a room above a mosque in Delhi’s Paharganj, where he also leads prayers. Known for provocative soundbites, he remains a regular fixture on TV panels.

Read more about him and India’s media maulanas here.

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