India, Sept. 29 -- Former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday issued a statement after an altercation with co-contestant Siwet Tomar on the reality show Rise & Fall, saying that he will "rise again" and lauding the "overwhelming support" he received from the fans.

Poonawalla said he chose to respond with maturity and treated everyone with respect, even after being hit.

"Shehzad lost his father when he was just a child. His mother is growing older, and he doesn't share an easy relationship with his brother because of their ideological differences. He came to the show to play, work and earn his livelihood, yet you chose to abuse and attack him physically from behind. Even when you provoked him with your words, Shehzad chose to r...