By a HfHR Volunteer based in India

NOTE: THE HINDUS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BLOG IS A SPACE FOR A HEALTHY EXPLORATION OF IDEAS PERTINENT TO OUR MISSION. THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF HINDUS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

As human beings, we are constantly seeking connections with one another and one of the ways is through humor, story sharing, and articulating lived experiences. What’s more, freedom of expression and speech is the backbone of any healthy democracy. Unfortunately, standup comedians -- people whose job it is to share stories and make us laugh -- are under constant threat from the ruling classes, and in some cases are being arrested under manipulated charges. 

In India, a comedian named Munawar Faruqui was arrested a month ago for allegedly “hurting religious sentiments.” A UK-based Malaysian comedian named Nigel Ng had to apologize and delete a video featuring fellow YouTube star Mike Chen, who had previously voiced his criticism of Beijing.

Observing Munawar Faruqui’s case:

He is from Junagadh, Gujarat, and moved to Mumbai in 2007. He lost his mother and his father was left crippled by a paralytic stroke. He lost his house in the 2002 post-Godhra pogroms. From doing odd jobs like selling utensils to working as a self-taught Graphic Designer, Munawar did all that he could to survive and to provide for his family. He eventually gained viral recognition for his stand-up comedy which is based on satire. 

We are all aware of Science Fiction, which is most fascinating and interesting, but we don’t imagine much about Social Fiction! Here is an ironic example from Munawar’s real life: In 2019, he talked about how he went to a bookstore and asked for a long, fictional book for his travel. The shopkeeper, clearly taking a dig at him, handed him a copy of the police complaint against Umar Khalid, the human rights activist arrested in connection with the Delhi riots. 

Earlier, bail was rejected for Munawar due to law and order concerns and he spent both Republic Day and his 30th birthday in jail, which is deeply sad.

HfHR in collaboration with Reclaiming India (a joint initiative of the global Indian diaspora) organized an online comedy show in solidarity with Munawar Faruqui and for all human rights defenders in jail on February 6 - “The Right To Laugh” and thankfully on the same day as our event, Munawar Faruqui was set free after a late-night drama despite the Supreme Court issuing an interim bail. He had spent 37 days in prison for a joke he didn’t even tell.       

Observing Nigel Ng’s case:

He is a UK-based Malaysian comedian who shot to fame during the lockdown period with his comical Chinese food critiquing videos. Recently, he posted a collaboration video with Youtuber Mike Chen. In 2019, Mike had voiced his thoughts about the Tiananmen Square massacre and he has often criticized Beijing on Twitter. Immediately, many Chinese viewers complained about the comical video. It is disappointing that Nigel cowed to the Chinese government by apologizing and deleting the video, thereby undermining Mike’s criticism of CCP (Chinese Communist Party.) This again is deeply sad.

What is common between these two issues? Aggression and intimidation!

Choices. We all choose to do this or that, watch this or that, and in this world, so many have access to the internet. If I am offended by comedy I can choose not to watch it, period. 

When we speak of “hate speech,” “hurting religious sentiments,” and “freedom of expression,” I feel that we urgently need to address the hate and provocative speeches by politicians the world over. Whether it is India, the United States, or anywhere in the world, we need strict action against politicians who use religion and identity to divide and instigate riots.