Lucknow: Amid the Ranveer Allahabadia comment row, the Lucknow shows of stand-up comic Anubhav Singh Bassi, scheduled in Lucknow at 3 pm and 7 pm, were cancelled by the police citing law and order concerns.
The cancellation comes after a letter from Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission vice-chairperson Aparna Yadav was sent to the DGP, Prashant Kumar. The commission has urged the top cop to ensure that the shows do not malign women or to consider cancelling them altogether.
The letter, dated February 14, highlighted the use of inappropriate language in past performances. It also stressed the need to maintain decorum at public events.
“It has been known that on February 15, a comedy show of Anurag Singh Bassi is being organised at the Indira Gandhi Pratisthan, Lucknow. After watching his previous shows on YouTube channel, it has been noted that indecent words (apshabd) are used during his shows. Hence, it is expected of you that you (DGP) please ensure that this proposed programme and in similar programmes of stand-up artists, neither any indecent words nor any undignified comments are made on women. If possible, then such shows should be cancelled…,” reads the translated version of the letter in Hindi language.
बहुत से स्टैंडअप कॉमेडियन को लगता होगा कि #SamayRaina और #RanveerAllahabadia जैसा गंदा उनका कॉन्टेंट नहीं। अरे भाई! मां बहन की गाली देना भी अश्लीलता है। @aparnabisht7 जी ने @AnubhavBassi के शो के लिए पत्र लिखकर सही कदम उठाया है। या तो अब अच्छी कॉमेडी मिलेगी या ये सब बैन होंगे pic.twitter.com/n3rrLU6k85
— Vishal Mishra (@VishalMishraKC) February 14, 2025
Moreover, the police reportedly cited security concerns over potential objectionable contents and the possibility of protests by groups or a large section of people.
Currently, podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia has been facing cases as well as massive backlash over his inappropriate remarks on Samay Raina’s YouTube show, India’s Got Latent. sparked nationwide outrage.
Bassi, a 32-year-old law graduate from Lucknow’s Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, had also played a part in the Luv Ranjan film, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar.
