New Delhi: Comedian Daniel Fernandes show titled Do You Know Who I Am scheduled for Saturday, June 29 in Hyderabad was canceled due to threats from BJP MLA T Raja Singh. Singh accused Fernandes of making offensive remarks against the Jain community. Known for his criticism of the BJP, Fernandes was slated to perform at Heart Cup Coffee in Jubilee Hills at 4 pm. His recent satire on Jains allegedly disguising goats as Muslims during Bakri-Eid has stirred controversy. Threatening Fernandes, the BJP Goshamahal MLA said on June 29, “Cancel your show. Else our Karyakarthas will beat you so badly that you will think a 100 times to visit Hyderabad or Telangana.” What BJP MLA T Raja Singh said The MLA urged the Hyderabad Police Commissioner to intervene and halt the show, threatening severe consequences for comedian Daniel Fernandes or any other comedian mocking the Jain or Hindu communities. Raja Singh cautioned that the BJP would incite unrest in the city if the show proceeded, similar to their actions during Munawar Faruquis performance in 2022. He emphasized that the police bore responsibility if the situation escalated.Confirming the cancellation of Fernandes show, Station House Officer K Venkateshwar Reddy of Jubilee Hills police station informed TNM that the organizers voluntarily called off the event. They did not approach us for security arrangements, he stated.#Hyderabad #DanielFernandez a stand up comedian had talked about the Jains who dressed up as Muslims had rescued 124 goats from being slaughtered on the occasion of Bakrid.Since then he has been constantly receiving threat for speaking up against Jains..He had to cancel… pic.twitter.com/MbtSGLhZkU— Saba Khan (@ItsKhan_Saba) June 29, 2024Jain community rescue goatsOn June 24, it was reported that the Jain community in Delhi gathered Rs 15 lakh to purchase 124 goats, ostensibly to prevent them from being slaughtered during Eid. Members of the community disguised themselves as Muslims to make the purchases from the market.In a jesting manner, Fernandes highlighted that Jains are engaged in the meat export industry and joked about their oversight in preserving goats destined for slaughter. He quipped that if the number of these 124 goats were to increase, Jains would contact Muslims during Eid to profit from them. Following threats from the Jain community and Hindu right-wing groups, the video was removed from his social media profiles.What comedian said in statement In a video released on June 29, the comedian stated that they had to postpone the Hyderabad show due to threats of violence. The comedian criticized the Hyderabad police for their inability to provide security, expressing concern that the safety of their audience, crew, and themselves could not be assured. They emphasized a reluctance to jeopardize anyones safety because of their remarks.The comedian acknowledged that the controversial video offending the Jain community had been removed but continued to receive threats of violence, vandalism, calls, messages, and emails.Apologizing to the Jain community, the comedian emphasized, “Its okay to disagree with an artists work, but threatening violence against an artist isnt the solution. To the Jain community: I reiterate, there was no intent to harm anyone. I understand your frustration and anger. It genuinely saddens me. I dislike my current emotions and yours. This isnt what comedy is about. Comedy is about coming together, forgetting our troubles, and sharing laughter.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daniel Fernandes | Comedian | Podcaster | (@absolutelydanny)Not first time This isnt the first instance where the BJP MLA has threatened violence against a comedian. Back in 2022, he issued a similar threat towards comedian Munawar Faruqui, who was scheduled to perform in Hyderabad. Faruqui, a Muslim comedian, faced allegations of offending Hindu sentiments. Originally slated for January 2022, the show was cancelled due to threats from Raja Singh, tarnishing Hyderabads reputation. In response, then IT Minister KT Rama Rao personally invited Faruqui to perform in Hyderabad with assurances of safety and security. The show was subsequently rescheduled for August and successfully conducted amidst BJP protests at the fortified Shilpa Kala Vedika in Madhapur.
