Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra shifts shows amid opposition from Hindutva outfits

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has rescheduled his performances from Monday to Thursday at a venue in Whitefield, shifting them to a different location in Koramangala. This move was prompted by opposition from a Hindutva group, the Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti, which had petitioned the Whitefield police, alleging that Mr. Kamra had disrespected Hindu deities during his scheduled shows.

A senior police official informed The Hindu that Mr. Kamra and the show organizers visited the Whitefield police station on Sunday to declare their decision to cancel the shows, citing the controversy surrounding the event. No law and order issues were reported in connection with the planned performances. On social media platform X, Mr. Kamra confirmed the shift, offering refunds to ticket holders and urging them to purchase new tickets for the Koramangala venue.

In response to the Hindutva activists' objections, Mr. Kamra extended an open invitation to the Whitefield Police Station on Sunday for a potential debate on "comedy and culture," to which only senior journalist Aakar Patel reportedly attended. Mohan Gowda, spokesperson for Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, stated that the comedian had shifted the shows due to strong opposition and appealed to the Koramangala police not to permit him to perform in their area.

Despite these challenges, sources within the government affirmed that the shows would proceed as planned.