Comedian Munawar Faruqui Cancels His Shows In Mumbai After Threats From Bajrang Dal

Comedian Munawar Faruqui has cancelled his shows in Mumbai after threats from Hindutva group Bajrang Dal. He says the safety and security of the audience are what matters to him the most.

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In a statement released on Twitter, he said, "The safety of the audience is what matters most to me. I don¡¯t want my audience to go through what I am experiencing."

The shows were scheduled to take place on Oct 29, Oct 30 and Oct 31.

(Also Read: After Spending A Month In Jail, Munawar Faruqui Jokes About How Shopping Experience Has Changed)

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¡ª munawar faruqui (@munawar0018) October 27, 2021

Bajrang Dal members from Gujarat reportedly came down to Mumbai to protest against his show claiming that it was against Hindus.

They threatened the owner of Bandra¡¯s Rangshardha auditorium where the show was supposed to take place, reports Indian Express. Not only that, they even threatened the wonder of Borivali hall, which were to also host Faruqui.

(Also Read: Over 100 Artistes Unite For Munawar Faruqui, Demand Dismissal Of All Charges Against Him)

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Purnima Shah, owner of Rangsharda auditorium told the publication, "We were threatened on Tuesday afternoon by three members of Bajrang Dal. They said ¡®this show is against Hindus¡¯. I told them producers book the hall and we do not ask who is the artist. I told them that the organiser has censor certificate, but still the Bajrang Dal members were threatening us. They told us they will burn the place, so we decided to cancel the show. At that time I called the police, who escorted them out of my premises."

Online hate campaigns were also launched against Faruqui.

#GoBackMunawar
We won't allow @munawar0018 to spread any more #HinduPhobia. All #Hindu Orgs shall unite to cancel his #Mumbai Shows. He has hurt sentiments of Hindus by making fun of #HinduGods. @bookmyshow you will also face consequences for selling his tickets. #MunawarFaruqui pic.twitter.com/AH3NMM7o7P

¡ª Saffron Think Tank (@SaffronTank) October 14, 2021

Twitter

Following this, comedian Kunal Kamra tweeted, "It¡¯s not that their voices are right/loud or more important to cancel shows. It¡¯s just that your voice is nonexistent in favour of having shows. While it¡¯s very evident who is not in favour of stand up comedy sometimes I wonder if there¡¯s someone in favour of this art-form¡­"

It¡¯s not that their voices are right/loud or more important to cancel shows. It¡¯s just that your voice is nonexistent in favour of having shows.
While it¡¯s very evident who is not in favour of stand up comedy sometimes I wonder if there¡¯s someone in favour of this art-form¡­ pic.twitter.com/9ufxY0OHjj

¡ª Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 27, 2021

Here's how others reacted.

This so heartbreaking ??

¡ª sushree pati (@sushreepati2) October 27, 2021

Heartbreaking! but excellent decision! Pple who think they have won by cancelling his shows,they are nt right,after this decision you lost respect,lost in humanity.Again Munwar win.India is a democratic cntry becming ridiculous day by day.
STAY STRONG ..
WE STAND WITH YOU

¡ª Susmita Mazumdar (@Susmita_Speaks) October 27, 2021

@munawar0018 , with your freedom of speech. Dear @AUThackeray ji, request you to intervene. An artist must not be made to experience this ? https://t.co/UIe752SIR8

¡ª Kartik Iyer (@ikartikiyer) October 27, 2021

Totally heartbreaking ?#MunawarFaruqui @munawar0018 https://t.co/a1LtXrYYdW

¡ª Rahul Gaur (@rahullgaurr) October 27, 2021

How can @MumbaiPolice allow radicals to bully & make a hard-working artist cancel his shows in Mumbai?
Is this Mumbai that everyone in d world dream about?@AUThackeray @OfficeofUT @rautsanjay61 @AAPMaharashtra @INCMaharashtra @MumbaiNCP @ShivSena @priyankac19 ?#MunawarFaruqui https://t.co/kBRYdBfwbh

¡ª Riddhi (@pikachu_peeka) October 27, 2021

(Also Read: In His 1st Tweet Post Bail, Comedian Munawar Faruqui Cracks A Joke At Kangana Ranaut's Expense)