Munawar Faruqui performs in Hyderabad amid protest by BJP, BJYM workers; 50 people held

Amid a call by BJP MLA T Raja Singh who said stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui's show should be cancelled, police ensured tight security arrangements at the venue.

File photo

Hyderabad: Around 50 people were taken into preventive custody when they reached the venue of a show by stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui here on Saturday evening which otherwise went on peacefully. Amid a call by BJP MLA T Raja Singh who said the show should be cancelled, police ensured tight security arrangements at the venue in Madhapur here. Nearly 50 people reached the premises and all of them were taken into preventive custody, police said. The show that went on for 1.5 hours passed off peacefully, they said.

Singh, the MLA from Goshamahal in the city, was on Friday taken into preventive custody by the police here when he tried to reach the venue.

Known for his strong Hindutva views, the BJP legislator alleged that Faruqui had insulted Hindu gods in his shows in the past and that had attracted police cases.

The MLA took exception to ruling TRS working president and state minister K T Rama Rao reportedly extending an invite to Faruqui.

This is a reference to Rama Rao's comments last year that Hyderabad is a true cosmopolitan city which welcomes all cultures and criticism and that the shows of the likes of Faruqui would not get cancelled.

Singh had claimed that talented artistes from Telangana should be encouraged, instead of inviting someone who insults god.

Urging Rama Rao and the Telangana DGP to cancel permission given to Faruqui's show, he had said the developments would be "different" otherwise.

Munawar Faruqui's show in Bengaluru cancelled again 

Earlier on Saturday, police in neighbouring Karnataka denied permission to Faruqui's show, which was scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on Saturday. The event was cancelled as the organisers had not taken permission to organise it in the city, police said. 

A fringe outfit Jai Shri Ram Sena had lodged a complaint against the comedian and the organisers with Bengaluru Police Commissioner CH Pratap Reddy. In its complaint, the outfit alleged that Faruqui has hurt Hindu sentiments in his shows by making insulting remarks against Lord Ram and goddess Sita. 

The comedian was denied permission to perform here in November 2021 on the same ground.