“Okay To Disagree With An Artist, But Violence Is Not The Answer”: Comedian Daniel Fernandes

In a video posted on Instagram, comedian Daniel Fernandes addressed the ongoing threats and violence he and his team have faced, despite having removed a controversial video and issuing an apology. He emphasised that while it is acceptable to disagree with an artist’s work, resorting to violence is not a solution. Fernandes clarified that there was no intention to malign any community with his content.

“Do You Know Who I Am?”, a show by Fernandes, scheduled for Saturday, June 29 in Hyderabad, was cancelled following threats from BJP’s controversial MLA T Raja Singh. Singh alleged that the comedian made offensive remarks against the Jain community. The show was to be held at Heart Cup Coffee in Jubilee Hills at 4 PM. Fernandes’ latest satire involving the Jains had sparked controversy, leading to the cancellation.

T Raja Singh had threatened Fernandes, stating, “Cancel your show. Else our Karyakarthas will beat you so badly that you will think a 100 times to visit Hyderabad or Telangana.” He urged the Hyderabad Police Commissioner to intervene and cancel the show, warning of potential unrest similar to the incident involving comedian Munawar Faruqui in 2022.

In his statement, Fernandes acknowledged the backlash and threats he received, which also targeted his colleagues. He mentioned that while his comedy is meant to entertain, it can sometimes be misinterpreted. He expressed his regret if his jokes hurt anyone from the Jain community, noting that he had meaningful conversations with Jain friends and community members who helped him understand their perspective.

Fernandes concluded by reiterating his commitment to non-offensive comedy, stating, “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.”