Right-wing groups in Chhattisgarh have spoken out against stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui’s November 14 event, threatening to stop it if the local authority authorises it.
On Monday, leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal met with senior police officers and urged that the event be cancelled or the outfits will intervene.
Santosh Chaudhary, a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, claimed the Bajrang Dal and the VHP had made a written appeal to the Raipur Collector and Superintendent of Police, requesting that the show not be allowed in Raipur because Faruqui had reportedly ridiculed Hindu deities in the past.
“Faruqui mocked our Gods in past and such anti-Hindu people should not be permitted in the capital. And if the administration permits, it will be the administration’s responsibility because we will stop the programme in our own way,” said Chaudhary.
Mohammad Inam, who has organised the programme in Raipur, said their application was pending with administration.
Raipur collector Saurabh Kumar said the request was being processed.
“We have received an application for permission for the show which is in process. The orgainsers have also asked for protection for the show which is scheduled to be held in a hotel… The application has been sent for police approval,” said Kumar said.
In January this year, the Madhya Pradesh police booked Faruqui, who is from Gujarat’s Junagadh, and others performing at a New Year’s event at a café in Indore when a group of right-wing activists entered the venue and created a ruckus. He was arrested on January 1 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and violating the Covid-19 guidelines and released in February on the Supreme Court’s orders.
