Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
Kashmiri singer Qazi Touqeer broke down in tears on Bigg Boss 20 after host Salman Khan confronted fellow contestant Scout OP over his treatment of the Srinagar-born performer, who had reportedly been unwell during the week.
The emotional moment unfolded during the show’s “Weekend Ka Vaar” episode, when Salman questioned Scout’s decision to intervene after contestant Love Gill offered to take food to Qazi, choosing instead to serve the singer himself.
“Scout, aapko jab Qazi se problem thi, aap kyu gaye?” Salman asked, questioning why Scout had stepped in when Love was already taking food to Qazi.
The Bollywood actor also questioned whether Scout was trying to create a favourable image in front of the cameras by serving an unwell contestant. Scout denied having any such intention and maintained that his gesture was genuine.
Salman, however, took issue with the way the situation had been handled, describing Scout’s behaviour as heartless.
“Aapka tareeqa bada hi wahiyaad, bada hi heartless hai,” he told the contestant.
Emphasising the importance of treating an unwell person with dignity, Salman drew a comparison with the way food is served to prisoners, saying that even in jail, meals are offered with care.
“Jail mein bhi pyaar se mug mein dete hain. Roti dete hain, thaali dete hain. Woh bhi pyaar se hota hai jail mein,” he said.
As the confrontation continued, Qazi became visibly emotional. Struggling to compose himself, the singer asked Salman, “Can I talk, sir?”
Actor Mahhi Vij also weighed in, expressing displeasure over what she described as the contestants’ treatment while serving food.
“Sir, inka bas chale toh humare haath se khaana le lein. Itne gande se khaana dete hain ye log humko,” she said.
The episode also highlighted tensions among contestants inside the house, with reports indicating that Salman questioned Yung DSA over his conduct as well. However, the exchange involving Qazi emerged as one of the central talking points of the episode.
Qazi’s television comeback draws attention
The controversy has brought renewed attention to Qazi, whose return to national television has rekindled interest in his career more than two decades after he rose to fame through the singing reality show Fame Gurukul.
Qazi won the competition in 2005 alongside Ruprekha Banerjee. Another contestant, Arijit Singh, finished sixth before going on to become one of India’s leading playback singers.
Despite following different career paths, Qazi and Arijit have maintained their friendship. Arijit publicly expressed support for Qazi when he entered Bigg Boss 20, affectionately calling him his “rockstar” and saying his participation would encourage him to watch the show.
Qazi has also received support from former Bigg Boss winner Gauahar Khan, who publicly backed the singer amid the tensions surrounding his treatment in the house.
His stint on the reality show has generated attention beyond the latest confrontation. Reports on October 11 said actress Wamiqa Gabbi praised Qazi after he won Rs 5 lakh on the programme. His team had also dismissed rumours of his exit from the show, urging fans to remain calm and continue supporting him.
The latest episode has once again placed the Kashmiri singer at the centre of the show’s discussion, with his emotional response and Salman’s intervention drawing attention from viewers.
