Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui performs amid protests in Hyderabad by the BJP youth wing.
On Saturday, a number of Bhartiya Janta Youth Morcha (BJYM) workers staged a protest against comedian Munawar Faruqui’s show in Hyderabad. They were later detained by the police.
A huge number of policemen were deployed to the venue where the show was about to take place.
People who had bought tickets for the show were allowed to enter the venue amid tight security by the police force, reports stated. The show took place at Shilpakala Vedika in Hitech City. People were being told by the organizers not to carry wallets and phones inside the venue.
Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar has asked for a boycott of Faruqui’s show. On Friday, while addressing a gathering in Khila Shapur, in the Jangaon district, he alleged that Faruqui mocked Hindu gods, thus he should be boycotted.
Just a day ago, MLA Raja Singh and a few other BJP leaders were taken into preventive custody for threatening to vandalize the venue and attack Faruqui if he performed in the city.
“Let them see what will happen if Munawar Faruqui is invited to perform in Hyderabad.” We shall beat him up wherever the program is held. “Whoever offers him a venue, we shall set it on fire,” Singh had threatened.
According to an ANI report, citing sources, several supporters and leaders of the BJP had bought online tickets for the show and were planning to stage a protest against the stand-up comedian.
The Madhapur inspector, Ravindra Prasad, said that permission had been given to Faruqui for his show in Hyderabad.
Some BJP leaders tried to enter the venue and were shouting slogans of “Jai Shree Ram”. They were later taken into custody by the police. However, the show continued peacefully.
MAUD minister KT Rama Rao had invited Munawar Faruqui to perform in Hyderabad after several of his shows were canceled in Bengaluru due to threats.
According to reports, at least 1,000 police personnel were deployed at the venue. They were there till the show was over at 9 pm. Nearly 500 cops were inside the venue to make sure that the show went on peacefully.
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