With demonetization being the buzzword these days, a heated debate surrounding it at a tea shop in Ambur, Vellore turned ugly with the people involved coming to blows.

The incident occurred at Sanror Kuppam in Ambur on November 13, according to a report in The New Indian Express.

Two daily wage labourers – P Silambarasan and Paranthaman – who were disgruntled with the government’s decision since they had not been able to withdraw money from ATMs, were engaged in a discussion at Senthil tea stall.

While the discussion was happening, G Gopinathan and his friend Kumaran entered the shop to get their mobile numbers recharged. 

On hearing Silambarasan use unparliamentary language to roundly criticize demonetisation, Gopinathan intervened. Gopinathan claimed that the move was a step in the right direction and would help curb black money. In the process of explaining this, he allegedly made a sarcastic comment about Silambarasan and Paranthaman.

What followed was a heated debate which soon turned to blows, with Silambarasan and Paranthaman allegedly beating up Gopinathan and kicking him in the face.

“There was no previous enmity between them. The duo went into hiding for the past few days,” said Ambur Town police inspector Selvaraj.

A case has been filed against the duo under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 502 (II) (criminal intimidation) and 294 (b) (abusing with foul language).