'Repeated threats': Comedian Pulkit Mani cancels Noida, Lucknow, Kanpur shows amid Rahul Gandhi event mimicry row
NEW DELHI: Stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani on Sunday announced the cancellation of his shows in Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur amid a political controversy over his mimicry of PM Narendra Modi at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Indore.
Mani first announced the cancellation of his Noida show in an Instagram story, citing “unforeseen circumstances” and apologising to his audience for the inconvenience.
In next story, he said his shows in Lucknow and Kanpur had also been cancelled, alleging that he had received repeated threats from “goon activists”.
The cancellations came a day after Mani performed at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme organised by Gandhi in Indore. During the event, the comedian mimicked Modi, triggering criticism from BJP leaders, who alleged that the performance contained references to and was disrespectful towards Modi’s late mother.
Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal criticised the performance and questioned the intent behind the remarks. BJP leaders including Satish Poonia, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Devendra Fadnavis, Sanjay Saraogi, Ramchander Rao and Shazia Ilmi also attacked Gandhi over the controversy and demanded an apology.
Congress leaders, however, rejected the allegations. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari said Modi’s late mother was not mocked, while Congress leaders Bhupesh Baghel, Sajjan Singh Verma and Raashid Alvi defended the performance as humour and mimicry. Alvi said Gandhi was merely laughing along with the audience.
The ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme was centred on issues concerning students and young people, with Congress leaders saying education, employment and other youth-related concerns were the focus of Gandhi’s address.
Mani first announced the cancellation of his Noida show in an Instagram story, citing “unforeseen circumstances” and apologising to his audience for the inconvenience.
In next story, he said his shows in Lucknow and Kanpur had also been cancelled, alleging that he had received repeated threats from “goon activists”.
The cancellations came a day after Mani performed at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme organised by Gandhi in Indore. During the event, the comedian mimicked Modi, triggering criticism from BJP leaders, who alleged that the performance contained references to and was disrespectful towards Modi’s late mother.
Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal criticised the performance and questioned the intent behind the remarks. BJP leaders including Satish Poonia, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Devendra Fadnavis, Sanjay Saraogi, Ramchander Rao and Shazia Ilmi also attacked Gandhi over the controversy and demanded an apology.
Congress leaders, however, rejected the allegations. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari said Modi’s late mother was not mocked, while Congress leaders Bhupesh Baghel, Sajjan Singh Verma and Raashid Alvi defended the performance as humour and mimicry. Alvi said Gandhi was merely laughing along with the audience.
The ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme was centred on issues concerning students and young people, with Congress leaders saying education, employment and other youth-related concerns were the focus of Gandhi’s address.
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