HYDERABAD/JUBILEE HILLS: Comedian, Podcaster Daniel Fernandes’ show in Jubilee Hills on June 29 was canceled after video threats from BJP MLA T. Raja Singh. The MLA alleged Fernandes made offensive remarks against the Jain community. Singh warned that his party workers would harm Fernandes if he performed in Hyderabad.
Daniel Fernandes was touring with his new stand-up special, “Do You Know Who I Am?”. His show was scheduled to perform at Heart Cup Coffee in Jubilee Hills at 4 PM on June 29. However, a video by Fernandes mocking the Jain community went viral after Bakrid, leading to online backlash and controversy.
BJP MLA issues threats
In response, BJP MLA T. Raja Singh posted a video on social media warning Fernandes to cancel his show. Singh stated, “On Bakrid, a comedian named Daniel Fernandes cracked bad jokes and mocked the Jain community. It is better you cancel the show or else our karyakartas will come there and thrash you.”
Singh also referenced past tensions when comedian Munawar Farooqui was scheduled to perform in Hyderabad in 2022. “You remember when Munawar came to perform, right? If this situation goes out of hand, the police will be held responsible,” Singh warned.
Safety concerns prompt action
Following these threats from Raja Singh, Fernandes posted a video statement on his Instagram on June 29, announcing the show’s cancellation. “Nobody is ready to guarantee the safety of my audience, my crew, and myself. I do not want to put anyone in harm’s way because of something I said,” Fernandes stated. He also mentioned that the video offending the Jain community had been taken down but that threats continued.
Fernandes issued an apology to the Jain community, emphasizing that his intention was never to offend anyone. “It is okay to disagree with an artist’s work but to say that I will inflict violence upon an artist because I do not like their work isn’t the answer,” Fernandes said.
In the apology, Fernandes expressed regret for hurting the Jain community. “There was no intention of maligning anybody here. I can see that you are upset. I can see that you are angry. It genuinely makes me sad,” he said. He stressed that comedy should unite people and not create division.
Earlier in 2022, MLA Raja Singh had similarly threatened Munawar Farooqui, leading to the cancellation of his show in Hyderabad. Farooqui was accused of hurting Hindu sentiments, and his show scheduled in January 2022 was called off following Singh’s threats. Farooqui later performed in Hyderabad after intervention from the then IT Minister K. T. Rama Rao.
Daniel Fernandes’ controversial comments in his stand-up routine targeting the Jain community for rescuing goats on Bakrid led to the recent backlash. The video, which joked about Jains being involved in the meat business, created tension and received significant criticism from both Jain and Muslim communities.
Fernandes clarified his stance on Instagram, stating, “As comedians, we are aware that once in a while something we say may not be received well. It’s the nature of the business.” He acknowledged receiving abusive and threatening messages following the video’s release.
Despite the backlash, Fernandes engaged in constructive conversations with Jain community members. “Offline, I have had the time to talk to my Jain friends and other members of the community who calmly explained why some of the things I said may have hurt people,” he said. He apologized to anyone from the Jain community who felt aggrieved by his jokes and assured that there would be no mention of the Jain community in his future work.
Fernandes concluded by expressing hope for forgiveness and moving on in peace. “Forgiveness is one of the many beautiful traits your community espouses so I hope that we can put this behind us and move on in peace and enlightenment,” he said.
