Controversial comedian Munawar Faruqui’s presence during the broadcast of an IPL match has left Hindutva supporters seething in anger. Hindutva supporters, who accuse Faruqui of making fun of their deities, have now vowed to boycott Star Sports, the host broadcaster of IPL. No sooner did the news of Faruqui’s appearance on Star Sports emerge, hashtag #BoycottStarSports began to trend on social media.
Many questioned the rationale behind inviting a controversial comedian during the broadcast of a cricket match.
One user wrote, “A time where Bollywood is hesitating to promote Kerala story, Star sports is giving platform to a Hinduphobic & Propagandist Munawar Faruqui. #BoycottStarSports.”
A time where Bollywood is hesitating to promote Kerala story, Star sports is giving platform to a Hinduphobic & Propagandist Munawar Faruqui. #BoycottStarSports pic.twitter.com/AJOKd15ZZy
— BALA (@erbmjha) May 15, 2023
Star Sports India for including Munawar Faruqui in their IPL coverage. Let’s promote comedy that brings people together, not hate speech. #BoycottStarSports” pic.twitter.com/CnsAc5IN7q
— Tharundhfmb4 (@Tarundhfmb4) May 15, 2023
India is a country of different religions, it is shameful to describe channels, it is very disgusting, we have to avoid it#BoycottStarSports pic.twitter.com/oSr18bHgAL
— Nithya (@Nithya150) May 15, 2023
Why is @StarSportsIndia calling the Hinduphobic @munawar0018 during IPL?
The call for #BoycottStarSports is legitimate. pic.twitter.com/IkOcQqt41s
— Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) May 15, 2023
I refuse to support a channel that normalizer hate speech .Star sport india . #BoycottStarSports pic.twitter.com/HzcXadCzZ3
— Vishal Srivastava (@Vishal988787) May 15, 2023
Our Champ @munawar0018 with @IrfanPathan @AnilKapoor & @AdityaRoyKapoor #MunawarFaruqui you deserve this Platforms I’m very proud of you and you are all rock star my favourite parsonal munawar faruqui.
MUNAWAR ON STAR SPORTS pic.twitter.com/Z7153XaAr4
— Shahidul Islam (@Shahidul0018) May 12, 2023
Faruqui was joined by former cricketer Irfan Pathan and Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur during the broadcast.
The comedian from Gujarat had courted controversy for allegedly mocking Hindu deities with his jokes. He was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Police and had to spend several weeks in jail. He later took part in a reality show hosted by pro-Hindutva Bollywood actress, Kangana Ranaut, who’s known for making hateful utterances against Muslims and Islam.