Comedian Munawar Faruqui, 4 others held for 'indecent' remarks on Hindu deities; sent to judicial custody

The Indore district court on Saturday sent Munawar Faruqui, a stand-up comedian from Gujarat, arrested for allegedly insulting Hindu religious beliefs during a New Year show in Indore, to judicial custody till January 13.

Faruqui along with four other event organisers was arrested on Friday for allegedly insulting Hindu deities during a New Year show in Indore.

They were also assaulted when they were taken to jail after court proceedings.

Munawar Faruqui, a stand-up comedian from Gujarat's Junagadh, was arrested on Friday for his performance at a cafe in the popular 56 Dukan locality of Indore. The others arrested include Indore-based Prakhar Vyas, Priyam Vyas, Nalin Yadav, and event coordinator Edwin Anthony.

The case was filed based on a complaint by Eklavya Gaur, convenor of the Hind Rakshak Sangathan and son of BJP MLA Malini Gaur.

Hind Rakashak Sangathan convenor Eklavya Gaur, son of BJP MLA Malini Gaur filed the complaint to the police. Gaur said that he and his associates had gone to watch the show. When they heard the "indecent" comments, they forced the organizers to stop the program.

Lawyer Dinesh Pandey represented Eklavya Gaur in the court.

"Munawar Faruqui is a serial offender. We got the information about a show of Faruqui in Indore. We reached there and saw that they were making fun of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. We also recorded a video. We stopped the show and asked people to leave the show. They did not take permission for the show. They also violated social distancing rules," Gaur said while talking to media.

"We took them to the police station and an FIR was registered against the accused under the relevant section of the law," he added.

Lawyer Dinesh Pandey said, "The accused organised the show without permission and were passing rude comments on Hindu God and Goddesses. They were arrested on Friday and were presented before the court on Saturday. The court sent them to jail till January 13."

"The arrested men have been booked under IPC sections 188, 269, 34 and 295A for organising the event sans permission, flouting COVID-19 safety norms, and hurting religious sentiments," he added.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Aman Singh Bhuria refused to grant bail to Faruqui and other four and remanded them in judicial custody till January 13.

(With agency inputs)