Munawar Faruqui's stand-up comedy act in Mumbai cancelled; Right-wing groups issue warning

Right-wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have warned standup comedians against making derogatory comments against Hindu Dharma and saints or mocking them. The remarks came ahead of standup comedian Munawar Faruqui's shows in Mumbai. 

In view of the VHP threat, Munawar cancelled his shows that were scheduled to be held on October 29, 30 and 31. The stand-up comedian said that he was forced to can the 'Dongri to Nowhere' shows as he does not want his audience to go through what he was experiencing. The safety of the audience matters the most to me, he said.

According to reports, Bajrang Dal members from Gujarat threatened the owner of the auditorium in Mumbai's Borivali suburb where Munawar was to perform on October 29. They forced the owner to cancel the show. After that, the group landed up at Rangshardha auditorium in Mumbai's Bandra suburb where the stand-up comedian had two shows lined up. 

The Mumbai Police too sent a notice to the auditoriums, which reportedly said that the intended performance contained content that may hurt religious sentiments of certain communities and that if there was any law and order situation that arises due to the stand-up comedy act, organisers will face action and the notice will be used as evidence in court.

To recall, Munawar had been arrested in January this year. He was booked along with four other people for allegedly making derogatory and indecent remarks against Hindu deities during his performance in Madhya Pradesh. The case was filed by local BJP MLA Malini Laxman Singh Gaur's son Eklavya Singh.

In September too, Faruqui's shows in Gujarat had to be cancelled after the Bajrang Dal staged protests, labelling them as 'anti-Hindu'. In the run-up to the now-cancelled Mumbai shows, there had been calls to ban the show. In fact, on Twitter, the hashtag GoBackMunawar was trending.

Yet there were some who threw their weight behind the stand-up comedian.

Also Read

Aryan Khan case: Absconding NCB witness, seen in viral selfie, detained in Pune

Petrol, diesel prices today, October 28: Rates hiked again; check the cost in your city

• Munawar Faruqui
• Bajrang Dal
• VHP