Munawar Faruqui was forced to cancel his upcoming shows in Mumbai after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal sent out a ‘warning’ to standup comedians against making derogatory comments against Hinduism. In view of the threat, the comedian had to cancel his ‘Dongri to Nowhere’ tour, scheduled to be held in Mumbai from 29-31 October.

“The safety of the audience is what matters to me most,” said Faruqui in a tweet this Wednesday announcing the cancellation. “I don’t want my audience to go through what I am experiencing.”

According to Asianet News, Bajrang Dal members from Gujarat have reportedly threatened the owner of the Borivali auditorium where Faruqui was scheduled to perform tonight, forcing the show’s cancellation. The group also allegedly showed up at Rangshardha auditiorum in Bandra, where the remaining two shows were to be held.

The auditoriums also received a notice from the Mumbai police that claimed the intended performance contained content that may hurt religious sentiments, and that organisers will face action if the event causes any law and order problems.

Faruqui has been the target of right-wing groups all year, starting with his arrest in January in Indore on the basis of a complaint filed by the son of a local BJP MLA. In September, the comedian had to cancel a planned tour in Gujarat due to threats from the state wing of the Bajrang Dal.

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