Comedian Munawar Faruqui, one of the country’s best young performers, Sunday indicated he may not do any more shows, after at least 12 of his shows were cancelled in the last two months due to threats from Hindutva groups.
The latest show to be cancelled was scheduled today in Bengaluru, where the Karnataka police asked the organisers to call it off citing possible law and order problems. The police said, “It is learned that Munawar Faruqui is a controversial figure as he has made controversial statements on other religions’ gods.”
In a letter to the organisers, the police stated, “There is credible information that several organisations are opposing this stand-up comedy show and it could create chaos and disturb the public peace and harmony, which may lead to law and order problems.”
Hindutva groups have constantly targeted Faruqui since he was arbitrary arrested in January in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city based on a complaint filed by the son of a Bharatiya Janata Party politician.
In today’s Tweet, after his Bengaluru show was cancelled, Faruqui said, “Nafrat jeet gayi, artist haar gaya (hate has won, artist has lost). I’m done, goodbye. Injustice.”
In his statement, Faruqui said that his show on Sunday, which had sold more than 600 tickets, was cancelled under threats to vandalise the venue.
“Putting me in jail for a joke I never did to cancelling my show which has nothing problematic in it. This is unfair,” he wrote.
“I think this is the end. My name is Munawar Faruqui and that’s been my time. You guys were a wonderful audience. Goodbye. I’m done,” the 29-year-old comic signed off.
