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Hyderabad: BJP MLA, who threatened to set fire to Munawar Faruqui's show venue, detained

As a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases, stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui had to cancel his performance in Hyderabad in January.

TN City Desk

Updated Aug 19, 2022, 19:25 IST

File picture: T Raja Singh

Photo : IANS

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Police on Friday detained BJP MLA T Raja Singh, who threatened to set fire to the venue of a comedy show by stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui that is scheduled to be held in the Telangana capital on Saturday.

As Raja Singh and his supporters were attempting to leave for Shilpa Kala Vedika, the show's venue, police detained him and transported him to Bolaram police station.

Before being taken in the police vehicle, the controversial MLA told journalists that cops had not given him any information.

When police officials detained Raja Singh from his office in Mangalhat, his supporters raised slogans against the state government and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Several of them attempted to block the police vehicle but were detained.

In response to reports that Singh and his supporters may create disturbances at the venue, security at the MLA's office was intensified in the morning.

The Goshamahal MLA had threatened to beat up Faruqui and burn down the venue if the comedian goes ahead with the show.

Last week, a video of the MLA threatening the comedian surfaced on social media. He alleged that Faruqui made jokes about Hindu gods and hurt their religious sentiments.

The BJP MLA issued the warning following Munawar's announcement on his Instagram account of his show 'Dongri to Nowhere' in Hyderabad on August 20.

Faruqui was earlier scheduled to perform in Hyderabad in January. However, he had to cancel the show.

"In the past too, our idiot minister KTR had offered police protection and invited him, saying his event will be a great success. But even then, when Hindu groups across Telangana united to threaten him, he got scared and cancelled the event," Raja Singh said, referring to Telangana Minister for Information Technology, Industries, Municipal Administration and Urban Development KT Rama Rao.

"I am seriously telling this. Everybody knows about the law and order in Telangana. I am telling KTR that if you don't want this to deteriorate further, don't allow the comedian in Hyderabad," the Goshamahal MLA said.

The BJP leader further issued a threat. "See what will happen, If they invite him. Wherever the program is, we will go and beat him up. Whoever offers him a venue, we will burn it down. If something goes wrong, KTR and the government and police officers will be responsible," Raja Singh said.

When Munawar was scheduled to perform in January, the BJP leaders made similar threats. The show, however, had to be cancelled due to restrictions imposed on public gatherings due to an increase in cases of COVID-19.

The show in Hyderabad was announced on December 22, 2021, after KTR invited Faruqui to perform in the city, saying that it is a truly cosmopolitan one.

The stand-up comedian had tweeted earlier that he had received several calls from Hyderabad to perform.

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