Comedian Munawar Faruqui, who recently gained fame as the winner of the reality show Bigg Boss 17, has issued a public apology following significant backlash over a controversial joke made during a performance in Taloja. The uproar erupted after a video clip surfaced showing Faruqui making a derogatory remark about the Konkani community, sparking widespread criticism.
In the video, Faruqui is heard saying, “Konkani Log Chu**** Banate Hai,” which translates to “Konkanis fool others.” The comment quickly drew the ire of many, with detractors accusing the comedian of disrespecting the Konkani community.
In response to the backlash, Faruqui clarified that his comments were made as part of “crowd work,” a common practice in stand-up comedy where comedians interact with the audience. However, he expressed regret for any offense caused, stating, “I have noticed that some people are getting hurt over my clip, and as a comedian, I don’t want to hurt anyone. The people I made the joke about also enjoyed the show a lot. There were people from all backgrounds at the show—Marathis, Muslims, Hindus. But when we see such things on the internet, and we notice it, we understand the issue. I want to apologize and say sorry to all. Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra.”
The controversy escalated when BJP MLA Nitesh Rane issued a video threatening Faruqui, saying, “Won’t take long to send a green snake like you to Pakistan.” The threat intensified the already heated reactions on social media, with many condemning the comedian’s remarks.
Supporters of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also joined the fray, criticizing Faruqui’s comments and adding to the chorus of disapproval.
This is not the first time Faruqui has found himself embroiled in controversy. In 2021, he was arrested and later released on bail after being accused of mocking Lord Ram during a performance. That incident led to severe online trolling and the cancellation of several of his shows.
