Munawar Faruqui charged with outraging religious feelings

An Indian comedian has been attacked by a mob and arrested for making 'indecent comments' about Hindu gods

Munawar Faruqui also poked fun at the ruling right-wing BJP party during his stand up routine, according to reports.

The 28-year-old was detained with four other comics following complaints from the son of the local BJP mayor Malini Laxman Singh Gaur, who was attending the event.

Videos show the son, Eklavya, stopping the gig to take issue with the material.

The son, Eklavya, told India Today: 'The show mocked Hindu deities by passing indecent comments… Union Home Minister Amit Shah [was] also mentioned inappropriately.

'We shot a video and stopped the show by taking the audience out of the cafe. Then we caught the comedians and organisers of the show and took them to Tukoganj police station.' 

Police reportedly said they examined the video and found the content ‘objectionable’ –  although a spokesman later contradicted that, saying there was ‘nothing incriminating’ in the footage.

The comics have been charged with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings –  and for breaking coronavirus restrictions by organising the gig. They deny wrongdoing

A court has rejected their plea for bail and will remain in custody until January 13.

Published: 4 Jan 2021