Bengaluru, Nov. 28: Seemingly fed-up after right-wing groups continued attack and issuing threats, noted stand-up comedian Munwar Faruqui cancelled his show on Sunday that was scheduled to be held in the city Sunday evening and he also asserted he might never return to the stage again.
Announcing cancellation of his show on his Instagram account, Faruqui has penned a detailed message stating that Aaj Nafrat Jeet Gayi (Today Hate has won). Artist Har Gaya. (An artist lost his battle). “Aaj Bangalore show cancel ho gaya (Bengaluru show got cancelled under the threat of venue vandalism) We sold 600+ tickets. I am done! Goodbye! INJUSTICE.,” he said in his story, hinting that he was quitting the stand-up comedy scene permanently.
Troubles began for this 29-year-old stand-up comedian early this year when Madhya Pradesh police arrested him from a middle of a his show and sent to jail allegedly cracking jokes on Hindu deities and Union Home minister, Amith Shah.
He hails from Junagarh district in Gujarat but his family relocated to Mumbai post Godhra violence in Gujarat, when he was a young boy aged around 10 year-old.
Faruqui’s show was scheduled to be held on Sunday evening at Good Shepherd auditorium for the second time in two months. The comedian added that this was the 12th show of his that has been cancelled in last two months owing to similar threats from right wing groups across the country.
According to the venue operators, the police issued a letter on Saturday asking them not to go ahead with the show as the person (Faruqui) would speak “against communities” and would be vulnerable to vandalism by several groups.
“It is learned that Munawar Faruqui is a controversial figure as he had made controversial statements. Many states have banned his comedy shows,” according to a letter from the Ashok Nagar Police Station, dated November 27.
The show “could create chaos and could disturb the public peace and harmony which may further lead to Law & order problems,” the letter stated. The police suggested that the operators of the Good Shepherd auditorium cancel the show.
Subtly hinting about his arrest by Madhya Pradesh police early this year in January, Faruqui said that “Putting me in jail for a joke I never did to cancel my show which has nothing problematic in it. This is unfair.”
Thanking his audience, he wrote that his shows had gained so much love from people in India irrespective of their religion. He also claimed that he has a censor certificate for the show but was made to cancel 12 shows over the last two months due to threats.
“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,” he signs off.
