I fear you misread the situation. Mike and Bapu have been following John around for sometime, regardless of which bar he sits in, making childish comments every time he opens his mouth. He asks them time and time again to stop, but they carry on their puerile taunting. Several people notice their behaviour, and ask them to stop.
Someone misreads the situation, and defends them, having obviously not witnessed their behaviour over the previous few months. Probably due to too many alchopops, he attacks the wrong people.