Netizens Support Stand-up Comedian Munawar Faruqui After He Cancels Show Following Threats

In January this year, Indian stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, 29, was arrested after both a politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bajrang Dal Hindu group complained about his gigs; he was blasted as a "serial offender" who "cracks defamatory jokes about Hindu gods and goddesses."

People have been offering support to Indian comedian Munawar Faruqui online after he was forced to cancel three upcoming stand-up shows in Mumbai after threats from Hindu nationalist group Bajrang Dal.

Hindu activists have been posting the hashtag #GoBackMunawa on Twitter and accusing Faruqui's act of being "anti-Hindu," while everal venue owners and show organisers have been warned against hosting the comic's shows.

Faruqui wrote on Instagram that the audience's safety is the most important thing, and if it cannot be guaranteed then his shows must be cancelled.

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A post shared by Munawar Faruqui (@munawar.faruqui)

Faruqui's fans have hit back at trolls for harassing him, arguing he has the right to freedom of speech and expression.

Dear @MumbaiPolice
Isn't it your job to warn & control Hindu goons & let Munawar Faruqui conduct his show smoothly?
Why r u supporting wrong people?
What kind of message u're trying to give?
Is this Uttarpradesh or Madhyapradesh? @OfficeofUT#MunawarFaruqui #ShowMustGoOn

— Riddhi (@pikachu_peeka) October 28, 2021

It's a failure of justice but he will be back set your reminders #khwahish . Will always support him. Will stand against his injustice. Stay strong munawar you will get through this. #MunawarFaruqui #wearewithmunawar#wesupportmunawarfaruqui pic.twitter.com/yKzGjqLRbr

— Amaira Ahmed (@amaira_ahmed281) October 28, 2021

This is not expected atleast in a city like Mumbai. If @munawar0018 can not perform his in own city then where will he go. There must be fear of law in the minds of every hooligans. MVA must act. #MunawarFaruqui #StopHate #standupcomedy pic.twitter.com/nCxhTuNY3y

— Dinesh Mourya (@dineshmourya4) October 29, 2021

I'm really happy to hear that the so called #secular #standupcomedien #MunawarFaruqui shows are cancelled Dekho bhai standup ke naam pe hindu religion Ko gaali Dena ab nahi chalega #standupcomedy @BajrangdalOrg @VHPDigital @RSSorg @DrMohanBhagwat @swamidipankar @yogrishiramdev pic.twitter.com/ZMVOfuAO0G

— Abhishek Singh🇮🇳 (@zjh_yt_official) October 29, 2021

Unbelievable. This is who we are today because nobody is stopping them. https://t.co/5rpW6IEZkw

— Konkona Sensharma (@konkonas) October 28, 2021

Can't believe that violence dictates the affairs of this city which is supposed to be secular! #disheartening @westandwithmunawar

— jaded (@jazz_by_the_bay) October 29, 2021

Criminals roaming outside but innocent people r hrassing by goones ....stay strong @munawar0018 ❤️#MunawarFaruqui https://t.co/fhE9EX6nls

— Sakshi (@sakshi_tiwari01) October 28, 2021

Without freedom of thought and speech, there can be no such thing as wisdom.
WE STAND WITH MUNAWAR#MunawarFaruqui#WeLoveMunawar#WeAreWithMunawar

— Hina (@senceofrumour) October 28, 2021

Despite the threats, Faruqui plans to post a new comedy video on YouTube on Saturday. "Today haters are trending, tomorrow artists will trend. New video releasing tomorrow," he said.

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A post shared by Munawar Faruqui (@munawar.faruqui)

In January this year, Faruqui was arrested and jailed in Madhya Pradesh state following a show – he was accused of making indecent remarks about Hindu deities. His fans rallied to support him on social media and he was released on bail a month later.