Controversy notwithstanding, Sabe TV will go ahead with the scheduled telecast of the Zimmedar Kaun? episode featuring the hawkers-Bombay Municipal Corporation fracas tomorrow at noon.

Sabe TV vice-chairman and managing director Markand Adhikari says there will be no rethinking on the telecast of 'Feriwale', as demanded by deputy municipal commissioner Chandrashekhar Rokde. The chat show had degenerated into mud slinging and even physical abuse as host Priya Tendulkar allegedly sided with some of the panelists during the debate on whether hawking should be restricted in Mumbai. Tendulkar herself claimed that she had been also hit during the show. Rokde allegedly walked out of the episode in disgust after he was heckled by hawkers' union leader Suresh Kapile and a section of the audience. Citizen's forums' representatives who participated in the show also spoke about Tendulkar's bias.

Adhikari says the channel does not interfere with the editorial aspects of its programmes. Zimmedar Kaun? is produced by host Tendulkar herself. The programme was launched at the time of the Sabe TV channel launch in 2000, and won the RAPA award for the best talk show in June this year. It was also nominated for the Screen Videocon awards this year.

Meanwhile, the Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat, which is spearheading the hawkers' agitation against the municipal corporation, seems to have got its facts a little mixed up. In a press release, it has demanded that Zee TV go ahead and telecast the controversial episode, failing which the union will hold demonstrations in front of Rokde's office. Rokde had earlier said that, in all fairness, the channel should refrain from airing this episode.

So what can we expect now? A demonstration outside Zee's offices for "their having bowed to BMC pressure in not airing the show?"

The programme is aired on Sabe TV on Sundays at noon, with a repeat telecast at 8 PM.

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