Amid the ongoing Vir Das row, MP minister Narottam Mishra banned the comedian in the state. Earlier, he was in the news for bringing Dabur and Sabyasachi to knees. Earlier on Wednesday, popular comedian Vir Das stirred controversy due to his “Two Indias monologue”. The comedian had shared a clip of his show ‘I Come From Two Indias’ which he performed in Washington DC. The video evoked polarizing response. While several right-wing netizens slammed Das for maligning India’s image in USA, others appreciated his astute satire on the current socio-political climate in India.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra called Das a “jester” and said that the authorities won’t let him perform. He also claimed that if Das apologizes, an exception can be made.

Contents hide
1. Background
2. The Facts of the Matter
3. MP Minister Calls Vir Das ‘Vidushak’
4. Narottam Mishra Compares Vir Das to Rahul Gandhi, Kamal Nath
5. MP Home Minister Had Brought Sabyasachi to Knees
6. Dabur India Also Faced Wrath of MP Minister

Background

Stand-up comedians in India have a unique profession. While they are paid for traveling to cities and states and making the locals laugh, they also have to draw the line to not hurt the sensibilities of people.

It may sound a simple enough job, but as comedy is subjective, what may be funny to some, may be hurtful to someone. In such scenarios, tolerance and empathy must be practiced, and jokes must be taken as jokes as nothing more.

However, whenever a comedian in India has done political comedy, made a joke where a religion is in context, they have had to face the wrath of people. This includes comedians like Tanmay Bhat, Kunal Kamra, Munawar Farooqui, Daniel Fernandez, etc.

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The Facts of the Matter

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra has proclaimed that famous comedian Vir Das will not be allowed to perform in the state. The proclamation comes a day after the comedian’s monologue ‘I come from two Indias’ from his show received a lot of flak from right-wing Indians. Further, a BJP advisor and advocate from Mumbai also lodged a complaint against Das for “defaming India” and its image in USA.

MP Minister Calls Vir Das ‘Vidushak’

Speaking to Press Trust of India about the comedian’s monologue and his opinion, Dr. Mishra was quoted saying, “We won’t allow such jesters to perform. If he tenders an apology, we are going to think over it.”

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Narottam Mishra Compares Vir Das to Rahul Gandhi, Kamal Nath

The MP home minister further made a sly dig at leaders of opposition parties and said, “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also defames India on foreign land. MP Congress chief Kamal Nath also does it. Such types of people like him, I call them ‘vidushak’ (jester).”

MP Home Minister Had Brought Sabyasachi to Knees

It should be noted that this is not the first time the MP minister spoke as a representative of the Hindu values. Just last month, he issued a 24-hour ultimatum to fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s brand to withdraw his mangalsutra ad campaign from social media. Dr. Mishra had claimed that if the brand doesn’t pull the ad, it will face statutory action.

Following his ultimatum, the ad issued an apology and pulled the ad. The ad featured models donning Sabyasachi’s designed jewellery while wearing “objectionable” clothes.

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Dabur India Also Faced Wrath of MP Minister

Similarly, consumer product brand Dabur India had received flak from the MP Home Minister for an ad. The ad featured a same-sex couple celebrating Karwa Chauth. Dr. Narottam Mishra termed the ad as objectionable and something that hurt “Hindu sentiments”.

He asked for the brand to take down the ad or face legal actions. The brand also chose to take down the ad, following brutal trolling on social media as well.