It feels like an almost everyday incidence now that we hear a standup comic in India being slammed or trolled for something they said or a particular performance they did.

But in stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui’s case - 12 of his shows were cancelled just over the last few months - the latest being in Bengaluru where he was supposed to perform a set called ‘Dongri to Nowhere'.

The comic had to spend a month in jail on charges of allegedly making jokes against Hindu gods and goddesses. He was released from jail 35 days later after the Supreme Court found that evidence against him was “vague” and the fact that he did not crack a single joke. But from then on it's been out of the pan and into the fire for him.


The comic has faced a wave of targeted hounding on social media from right wing groups. And if it's not over pressure from right-wing groups, then it's the city police who have gotten his shows cancelled.


In the recent incident from Bengaluru, the police wrote that his show could “create chaos and could disturb the public peace and harmony which may further lead to law and order problems.”

But this statement begs the question- isn’t it the job of the police to safeguard the safety and rights of citizens when there is an established threat?

And more importantly, what do these kinds of actions towards comics signal about the right to freedom of expression and law and order in India?

Guests: 
Dr NC Asthana, the former DGP of Kerala

Siddharth Dash, a stand-up comic and show producer for Munawar Faruqui’s Bengaluru show 

Arpit Sharma, a satirist and comedian. 
Host and Producer: Himmat ShaligramEditor: Shorbori Purkayastha
Music: Big Bang Fuzz
More from The Quint:

Interview | Munawar Faruqui Responds to Death Threats: ‘Hit Unsubscribe on Those Spreading Hate’
Munawar Faruqui’s Show Axed: How Legal Sense Became the Joke 

'Hard-Hitting': Comedians Speak on Vir Das's 'I Come From Two Indias'
Listen to The Big Story podcast on:
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<div>It feels like an almost everyday incidence now that we hear a standup comic in India being slammed or trolled for something they said or a particular performance they did.<br>
<br>

</div>
<div>But in stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui’s case - 12 of his shows were cancelled just over the last few months - the latest being in Bengaluru where he was supposed to perform a set called ‘Dongri to Nowhere'.<br>
<br>

</div>
<div>The comic had to spend a month in jail on charges of allegedly making jokes against Hindu gods and goddesses. He was released from jail 35 days later after the Supreme Court found that evidence against him was “vague” and the fact that he did not crack a single joke. But from then on it's been out of the pan and into the fire for him.<br>
<br>
The comic has faced a wave of targeted hounding on social media from right wing groups. And if it's not over pressure from right-wing groups, then it's the city police who have gotten his shows cancelled.<br>
<br>
In the recent incident from Bengaluru, the police wrote that his show could “create chaos and could disturb the public peace and harmony which may further lead to law and order problems.”<br>
<br>

</div>
<div>But this statement begs the question- isn’t it the job of the police to safeguard the safety and rights of citizens when there is an established threat?<br>
<br>

</div>
<div>And more importantly, what do these kinds of actions towards comics signal about the right to freedom of expression and law and order in India?<br>
<br>

</div>
<div>
<strong>Guests: <br>
</strong>Dr NC Asthana, the former DGP of Kerala<br>
Siddharth Dash, a stand-up comic and show producer for Munawar Faruqui’s Bengaluru show <br>
Arpit Sharma, a satirist and comedian. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Host and Producer: </strong>Himmat Shaligram</div>
<div>
<strong>Editor:</strong> Shorbori Purkayastha</div>
<div>
<br>
<strong>Music:</strong> Big Bang Fuzz</div>
<div>
<br>
<strong>More from The Quint:</strong><br>
<br>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYtoTO6-l3A&amp;t=72s">Interview | Munawar Faruqui Responds to Death Threats: ‘Hit Unsubscribe on Those Spreading Hate’</a>
</div>
<div>
<br>
<a href="https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/comedian-munawar-faruquis-show-axed-how-legal-sense-became-the-joke#read-more">Munawar Faruqui’s Show Axed: How Legal Sense Became the Joke </a><br>
<br>

</div>
<h1><a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/7981873-hard-hitting-comedians-speak-on-vir-das-s-i-come-from-two-indias">'Hard-Hitting': Comedians Speak on Vir Das's 'I Come From Two Indias'</a></h1>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><strong>Listen to The Big Story podcast on:</strong></div>
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<div>Apple: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fapple.co%2F2AYdLIl&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">https://apple.co/2AYdLIl</a>
</div>
<div>Saavn: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2oix78C&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">http://bit.ly/2oix78C</a>
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<div>Google Podcasts: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2ntMV7S&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">http://bit.ly/2ntMV7S</a>
</div>
<div>Spotify: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fspoti.fi%2F2IyLAUQ&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">https://spoti.fi/2IyLAUQ</a>
</div>
<div>Deezer: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2Vrf5Ng&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">http://bit.ly/2Vrf5Ng</a>
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<div>Castbox: <a href="http://bit.ly/2VqZ9ur">http://bit.ly/2VqZ9ur</a>
</div>

The Big Story is back with a second season!

The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. 

With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discussions with experts across science, culture, technology, politics, and more. Tune in on your preferred podcast platform!   



Millions of listeners seek out Bingepods (Ideabrew Studios Network content) every day. Get in touch with us to advertise, join the network or click listen to  enjoy content by some of India's top audio creators.
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<p>The Big Story is back with a second season!</p>
<p>The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. <br aria-hidden="true"><br aria-hidden="true">With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discussions with experts across science, culture, technology, politics, and more. Tune in on your preferred podcast platform!   </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Millions of listeners seek out <a href="https://bingepods.com/">Bingepods</a> (Ideabrew Studios Network content) every day. Get in touch with us to advertise, join the network or click listen to  enjoy content by some of India's top audio creators.</em><br><em><a href="mailto:studio@ideabrews.com">studio@ideabrews.com</a></em></p>
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