Kunal Kamra has been critical of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government and often incorporates dissent into his routines. In the last few years, he has been on the radar of Hindutva groups.
New Delhi: Comedian Kunal Kamra in a blistering letter has lashed out at the Hindutva outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad, days after his show in a Gurugram bar was called off citing opposition from the group and Bajrang Dal.
In the Hindi letter, the comedian questioned the group on faith, Hinduism, their source of power, and exactly how he offended Hindus.
According to a report by Indian Express, Studio Xo bar, where Kamra was scheduled to perform on September 17 and 18, had canceled his show, saying that men from Bajrang Dal had arrived at the bar, threatened them, and objected to the show because they thought the comedian was “anti-Hindu.”
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Kunal Kamra has been critical of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government and often incorporates dissent into his routines. In the last few years, he has been on the radar of Hindutva groups.
He had tweeted in the immediate aftermath of the news of his show being canceled that there was no evidence to show that his shows breached the peace, as the Hindutva groups had claimed.
“VHP today given a letter to the @DC_Gurugram to cancel the show of AntiHindu Kunal Kamra scheduled in Gurugram on 17th of this month. These hatemongers must be booked under panel provisions of law. Can’t be allowed to perform in public. The @gurgaonpolice sud take action.” VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal’s tweet read.
VHP today given a letter to the @DC_Gurugram to cancel the show of AntiHindu Kunal Kamra scheduled in Gurugram on 17th of this month. These hatemongers must be booked under panel provisions of law. Can't be allowed to perform in public. The @gurgaonpolice sud take action. pic.twitter.com/jbLWPX4IRU
— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal (@vinod_bansal) September 9, 2022
Two days later, Kamra responded to the letter. The letter, which Kamra shared with the caption ‘my answer’ (mera jawab in Hindi), tagging VHP, identifies him as a ‘so-called comedian’.
Kamra calls the VHP the ‘Hindu Parishad’, saying that he does not believe that the world’s Hindus have appointed them custodians of their faith.
“You got my show in a Gurgaon club canceled by threatening the owner. How can I blame him [the manager], he has to run his business, how can he suffer gangsters? He won’t go to the police either. If he does go to the police then the police will, in turn, go to you to make a request – the whole system is yours,” Kamra’s letter read.
He further questions the VHP as to when he has “disrespected Hindu culture” – something they have accused him of doing. “If there is a clip or a show, then show me too. I only take on the government with satire. If you are maintained by the government then you might feel bad.”.
Kamra then writes that he does not consider it necessary to give a test to ostensibly prove his relationship with god.
“But I will still give a test and take your test as well. I can say, “Jai Shri Sita-Ram” and “Jai Radha Krishna”, loudly and proudly. If you are truly children of India then write “Godse murdabad” and send it”.
“If not then I will take it that you are anti-Hindu and pro-terrorism. It is not as if you consider Godse to be god, is it? If you are then continue to stop my shows in the future. I will be happy simply because I will have won the test of being a bigger Hindu than you.”
He concludes his letter by saying that whatever he does, he will earn a livelihood because he feels that “as a bigger Hindu” than the VHP, “eating off scraps by using threats is a sin.”
मेरा जवाब @VHPDigital pic.twitter.com/J9Ah8ad5ur
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) September 11, 2022
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