Updated Feb 02, 2021 · 06:17 pm A file photo of comedian Munawar Faruqui. | Screenshot via Munawar Faruqui on YouTube
A joint initiative of the global Indian diaspora on Tuesday said that a group of South Asian American stand-up comedians will perform a virtual comedy show on February 6 to show their solidarity with jailed Indian comedian Munawar Faruqui.
Faruqui was arrested for allegedly insulting Hindu deities during a show, despite the police admitting they have no evidence. The comedian remains in jail since January 1, having been denied bail thrice by the courts.
The virtual comedy show, titled “The Right to Laugh”, is being organised by Reclaiming India on Saturday at 10.30 pm. The performers will include Myesha Chowdury, Sai D, Abby Govindan, Pallavi Gunalan, Apoorva Gundeti, Masood Haque, Rishi Mahesh, Yamini Nambimadom, and Amar Risbud, according to a statement.
Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui s bail plea rejected by Madhya Pradesh High Court
While rejecting the submissions by Faruqui’s counsels, the MP High Court said that it is not a case of no evidence.
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Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui was arrested for insensitive remarks against Hindu deities and Union Minister Amit Shah. (Photo | Munawar Faruqui YouTube) By Express News Service
BHOPAL: In jail for the last 26 days for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, Mumbai-based stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui has failed to get any relief from the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Three days after reserving orders on the bail applications of Faruqui and co-accused Nalin Yadav, the MP High Court’s single judge bench in Indore headed by Justice Rohit Arya dismissed both the bail pleas on Thursday.
Munawar Faruqui’s bail plea rejected, Madhya Pradesh HC says duty of all citizens to promote harmony
The judge said there was prima facie evidence to suggest that Faruqui had intended to outrage religious feelings ‘under the garb of stand-up comedy’. Updated Jan 28, 2021 · 01:47 pm A file photo of comedian Munawar Faruqui. | Munawar Faruqui/Instagram
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday rejected the bail plea of stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, reported
Bar and Bench. The court concluded that there was prima facie
evidence to suggest that Faruqui had intended to outrage religious feelings “under the garb of stand-up comedy”.
Faruqui has been in jail since January 1 for allegedly making derogatory jokes on Hindu deities, even though the police have said there was no electronic evidence and that the complaint was filed based on hearsay.
Screenshot via Munawar Faruqui on YouTube
After being in police custody for 18 days, comedian Munawar Faruqui could naturally expect some relief. After all there is no proof of the allegations against him: that he has hurt religious sentiments or insulted faith, crimes under India’s penal code.
Instead, his situation seems to be getting worse. Uttar Pradesh has now dug up an old case against the comic and has submitted a production warrant in an Indore court. If the court agrees, Faruqui – rather than being granted his liberty – would simply be passed on to the custody of the Uttar Pradesh police.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the bail pleas of Faruqui and others have been rejected twice, stating that their release would disrupt law and order.