"Adding 'just kidding' doesn't make it okay to insult the Principal": Studio Xo Bar in Gurgaon cancelled Kunal Kamra’s show after members of Bajrang Dal & VHP protested against the scheduled show, comedian is a repeated offender of insulting Hindu deities

Over the past few days, we have been coming across many comedy shows being canceled every now and then because of their Hinduphobic content. Earlier it was Lock Upp contestant and comedian Munawar Faruqui whose show was called off and now it’s Kunal Kamra. According to the latest media reports, Kamra’s show, which was slated on September 7 at Studio Xo bar Gurgaon, was withdrawn after Bajrang Dal threatened to protest and disrupt the show.

This afternoon, Bajrang Dal and VHP Gurgaon submitted a memorandum, addressed to the deputy commissioner. The right-wing group has stated that the comedian ‘mocks and makes fun of Hindu deities.’

As reported in Indian Express, the memorandum read, “One artist by the name of Kunal Kamra is organizing 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.”

Speaking about the same, Bajrang Dal’s district coordinator Praveen Saini alias Praveen Hindustani told the same portal, “We met the management of the bar and told them to cancel the show. This comedian (Kunal Kamra) has repeatedly insulted Hindu gods and goddesses in his shows and videos. We showed the organizers the videos of his acts on YouTube. Such artists, who attack the Hindu faith, will not be allowed to perform in Gurgaon and any such insults will not be tolerated. We handed over a memorandum to a magistrate and requested them to cancel the show as it could disturb communal harmony and create a potential law and order situation.”

Vinod Bansal explained in his subsequent tweets why comedians like Kunal Kamra should not be spared. He wrote, “It is necessary to boycott and oppose such Hindu traitors. By adopting cheap tactics in the name of freedom of expression, such people are out to kill art. Hindu community will not forgive them.”

He wrote in the next tweet, “How can the blatant ridicule of the symbols of Hindu pride be part of an art or culture? The Hindu community is tolerant, but not cowardly. The Hindu community knows well how to deal with such alleged artists in a democratic manner.”

Vinod Bansal said in his last tweet, “Haryana police should immediately take cognizance of this matter and announce the cancellation of the program, otherwise the Hindu society will be forced to protest.”

While Bar’s General Manager Sahil Dawra said, “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 organization… so we have decided to cancel it. We have not lodged any complaint with the police. We have written to the ticketing company and initiated the process to cancel the show.”

Comedian and Propagandist Kunal Kamra on Friday responded to reports of right-wing outfits seeking cancellation of his event in Gurugram over concerns that he makes fun of Hindu deities and his show could foment trouble in the district. 

Tagging an article in this regard, Kamra said he had a 10-mark question on what the authorities should do as there is no evidence that his show disrupts peace as alleged by the right-wing groups and only a handful do not want the show to take place, while 500 have received tickets for the same.

“He makes fun of our culture we claim, He makes fun of our deities we think, We have no evidence but his show disrupts our peace, 12 of us don’t want the show to happen & 500 have got tickets to watch it, So what should the authorities do? (UPSC question 10 marks)” Kamra wrote on Twitter.