Bengaluru: A show of standup comedian Munawar Faruqui was scheduled to take place today at an auditorium in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, though it will no longer be there. In fact, the local police have categorically refused to do the show. In a letter to the Good Shepherd Auditorium in Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, police are said to have asked the organisers to cancel the show citing law and order.
A similar event was cancelled in Mumbai last month following threats from right-wing group Bajrang Dal and now the police have given a red signal to cancel this latest show of stand-up comedians after that. You must all know that Faruqui had to spend a month in jail earlier this year on charges of "allegedly insulting Hindu gods and goddesses" during one of his comedy shows. In the letter saying the same, Bengaluru police have described Faruqui as a "controversial person" and mentioned his show "Dongri to Nowhere".
Ashok Nagar police in Bengaluru has written in the letter, "It has been revealed that Munawar Faruqi is a controversial person. His statements on gods of other religions have led to several states banning his comedy shows. It is learnt that a case has been registered against him in Madhya Pradesh. Similar cases are registered against him in other States also. The police said, "There is reliable information that many organizations are opposing this stand-up comedy show. It can create chaos and disturb public peace and harmony, which could lead to law and order problems. It is suggested that you cancel Munavar Faruqi's show at Good Shepherd Auditorium. ”
On the other hand, Mohan Gowda of the Hindu Jagran Samiti in Bengaluru said, "He will not allow the show to be held. "We have lodged a complaint with the police commissioner and demanded cancellation of the show," he says. Munawar Faruqi has made derogatory remarks against Hindus and hurt sentiments in his shows in Indore and elsewhere. "
