Bhopal: A Mumbai-based standup comedian Munawar Faruqui and four other event organizers were arrested for allegedly insulting religious beliefs and also Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a New Year show in Indore.
The incident came to light when a group of Hindutva activists attended the event to monitor it and brought the proceedings to a halt when the artiste made the allegedly unwelcome references. The comedian Munawar Faruqui 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.

“Police booked a case against them under IPC sections 188, 269, 34 and 295A for organising the event sans permission, flouting Covid-19 safety norms, and hurting religious sentiments,” said Kalmesh Sharma, in-charge of Tukoganj Police station in Indore. The case was filed based on a complaint by Eklavya Gaur, convener of the Hind Rakshak Sangathan and son of BJP MLA Malini Gaur.