Munawar Faruqui's Delhi show denied permission, 'will affect harmony': Report
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Delhi Police on Friday denied permission to stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui to perform his August 28 scheduled show in the national capital. The licensing unit of the Delhi Police denied the permission after the local central district police wrote a report stating that "the show will affect communal harmony in the area."
The show was scheduled to take place at the Dr SPM Civic Centre, Kedarnath Sahni Auditorium, from 2 pm to 9.30 pm. It was a privately organised show for which permission had been given earlier.
The denial of the permission comes after VHP Delhi president Surendra Kumar Gupta objected to the show. In a letter to the police commissioner, the VHP leader put the blame for the recent Hyderabad clash on the comedian and said he mocks Hindu gods in his show.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad in its letter to Delhi Police requested a cancellation of the show and warned of protests against the show if it takes place.
Since his arrest in 2021, Munawar's shows have become a law and order issue for the city police forces.
Faruqui's Bengaluru show was cancelled last week, despite his claims that it was due to health issues. He did, however, perform in Hyderabad the next day.
Earlier this year, in May, Faruqui participated in the Kangana Ranaut-hosted reality show 'Lock-Upp' and won the winner's trophy after receiving more than 18 lakh votes.
On January 1, this year, Faruqui and four others were arrested by Madhya Pradesh police following a complaint by Eklavya Singh Gaud, son of BJP MLA Malini Laxman Singh Gaud, that objectionable remarks about Hindu deities as well as Union Home Minister Amit Shah were made during a comedy show at a cafe in Indore on New Year's Day. He was later released on bail.