Comedian Munawar Faruqui's Hyd show confirmed, Shilpa Kala Vedika likely venue

Hyderabad: Comedian Munawar Faruqui will perform in Hyderabad on 20 August. Madhapur DCP K. Shilpavalli confirmed to NewsMeter that permission has been given for the standup comedian to perform in the city.

Munawar's team also confirmed to NewsMeter that the show is on but did not confirm the venue. The venue also remains unconfirmed on the online booking platform BookMyShow. However, DCP Shilpavalli said the event will take place at Shilpa Kala Vedika in Hi-tech city.

Heavy security has been deployed at Shilpa Kala Vedika since the morning of 20 August. Around 500 police officers will reportedly be there at the time of the event – both inside and outside the venue.

The police will reportedly check all persons before entering the event.

Earlier, BJP Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh had threatened to set the venue on fire and even "attack" Munawar Faruqui if the show is held.

The BJP leader said, "It was through an advertising link that we got to know of the comedy show in Hyderabad. It must be recalled that it was municipal administration and urban development minister K.T Rama Rao who invited him to host a show here. He even promised police protection. This is the same man who poked fun at Hindu gods and goddesses. He called BJP a cancer party and made fun of those innocent victims who were killed in the Godhra massacre. How can we allow him to ridicule the Hindu religion? I will hit him if the show is allowed to happen in Hyderabad."

The MLA has been taken into custody ahead of the event and detained at Bollarum on Friday.

It should be noted that Munawar's show titled 'Dhandho' which was scheduled to be held on 9 January 2022 was canceled due to Covid-19 protocols. The show was not rescheduled.