New Delhi: The management of a bar in Gurgaon has decided to cancel stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s show, scheduled to be held next weekend, allegedly under pressure from right-wing groups Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Indian Express reported.
Studio Xo bar, where Kamra was scheduled to perform on September 17 and 18, told the newspaper that two men from Bajrang Dal had objected to the show and threatened to disrupt it. Though they accused the comedian of being “anti-Hindu”, Kamra rejected the claims.
Several of Kamra’s shows have been cancelled in the past after objections from right-wing groups.
“We have decided to cancel the show. I do not want any trouble… Two men from Bajrang Dal had come and they threatened to disrupt the show. They objected to the show and said that they will not allow the show to happen. I spoke with the owners, police, and the comedian and I don’t want any risk to my company and organisation… so we have decided to cancel it,” said Sahil Dawra, general manager, Studio Xo Bar.
But sources told the daily that at least six-seven members of the two outfits went to the bar and asked the management to cancel the show.
However, the management has not lodged any complaint with the police in connection with this matter. “We have not lodged any complaint with the police. We have written to the ticketing company and initiated the process to cancel the show,” he added.
On September 9, Friday afternoon, members of Bajrang Dal and VHP, in a memorandum to the Gurgaon deputy commissioner, claimed that Kamra “mocks and makes fun of Hindu deities in his show,” and requested that the show be cancelled.
“One artist by the name of Kunal Kamra is organising a show at Studio Xo Bar in sector 29 Gurgaon on September 17. Yeh vyakti apne show mein Hindu devi va devtaon ka mazak udata hai (This person mocks Hindu deities in his show). An FIR has also been filed against him earlier in this regard. Iss show ke karan Gurgaon mein tanav utpan ho sakta hai (A tense situation may arise in Gurgaon due to this show). It is requested that the show be cancelled with immediate effect, otherwise Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers will protest against it,” read the memorandum, as per the report.
This story was originally published in thewire.in . Read the full story here
