During a debate on Republic Bharat, Poonawalla referred to Rituraj Jha as "Jha 2," a remark that was met with immediate criticism from the AAP, who accused him of insulting the Maithil Brahmin community. In response, Poonawalla announced a hunger strike, asserting that his comments were taken out of context and that he was being subjected to character assassination. He stated, "I am starting a fast unto death because of the lies spread against me by AAP and for my character assassination until AAP proves I abused anybody."
The controversy intensified when BJP's Purvanchali face and North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari condemned Poonawalla's remarks, emphasizing the importance of respecting all communities. Tiwari's condemnation was followed by a statement from the Janata Dal (United), an ally of the BJP, urging the party to take appropriate action against its spokesperson to maintain the coalition's integrity.
In an effort to mitigate the situation, Poonawalla released a video message on X (formerly Twitter), offering an unconditional apology. He said, "I tender an apology with folded hands to all my Purvanchali brothers and sisters. My words have hurt them. I do not want to offer any justification."
The incident has brought to light the sensitivities surrounding caste-related remarks in political discourse, especially in the context of Delhi's diverse demographic landscape. Purvanchalis, originating from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, constitute a significant portion of Delhi's population and are considered a crucial electoral demographic.