Ever been so cool that you find out from the news that you’re not going to be working on a particular day?Kunal Kamra, comedian, in a tweet
Comedian Kunal Kamra, who was supposed to host a stand-up comedy event at MS University of Baroda in Gujarat, received a surprise late 22 July night, after the university suddenly cancelled his show.
The event was scheduled to be held at the campus’ CC Mehta Complex on 11 August, and was cancelled following complaints from former students of the college, The Indian Express reported.
The university cancelled the event after a group of 11 former students claimed Kamra was “anti-national” and “supported Tukde-Tukde gang”.
We informed Kamra verbally on Saturday about his show being cancelled. We were told that his content was anti-national and controversial, so we went ahead and cancelled the show. We will make an official announcement today.Rakesh Modi, Coordinator, CC Mehta Auditorium, in a statement to The Indian Express
The Quint got in touch with Kunal Kamra but he refused to comment on the cancellation of the show.
The Indian Express also accessed the alleged letter on the basis of which Kamra’s show was cancelled by the university’s administration.
It reads: “What message do we want to convey by organising such anti-national flagbearer youth comedians’ comedy show in Gujarat’s most prestigious university campus?”
I am not writing the name of the comedian as he doesn’t even deserve the popularity by our mention in this mail. He has mimicked our National Anthem, he has openly supported Tukde-Tukde Gang, he is opposed by all the nation-loving universities in the nation, then why are we allowing him to enter our sacred alma mater??? We seriously suspect some ideological conspiracy to pollute the minds of Barodian youth ahead of 2019.Excerpt from the letter accessed by The Indian Express
While the university maintains that Kamra had been verbally informed of the cancellation on 21 July, the comedian, in a tweet, said, “Ever been so cool that you find out from the news that you're not going to be working on a particular day? Celebrating my day off in the future on my day off today.”
Comedian Anirban Dasgupta, shared news of the incident on his Facebook timeline, with a caption that reads, “if you are cheerleading this regime because it doesn't affect you yet, you will end up with blood on your hands. Good luck.”
Kamra’s stand-up comedy often focuses on the way of life in India, struggles faced by the common man in the country, and is laced with political opinions.
The comedian has spoken in the past as well about how the observational style of stand-up comedy has put him in a spot. Earlier this year, the comedian took to social media to talk about how he was evicted from his Mumbai home for his brand of humour.
(With inputs from The Indian Express and The Times of India)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)