07-08-2006, 02:12 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?actio...s&id=15588
Posted on 29 June, 2006 # ANI
Ex-cricketer Sidhu's `Great Indian Laughter' show has no Indore fans
Indore: Actor Shekhar Suman and former Test cricketer-turned-politician
Navjot Singh Sidhu's "Great Indian Laughter" show may be popular across the
country, but has no takers in Indore.
<b>Indian and Pakistani bonhomie took a beating on Wednesday, when supporters
of a socially underprivileged community in Indore organised a massive
protest rally against derogatory remarks made by Pakistani comedians Irfan
Malik and Ali Hasan during the June 16 episode of the "Great Indian Laughter
Show".</b>
Holding placards and burning effigies of Suman, Sidhu and the two Pakistani
comedians, the protesters demanded an unqualified apology. The protesters
also confirmed that a complaint has been registered at the Ajak Police
Station on June 20 against Star One, the TV channel that aired the offending
episode on June 16.
<b>The director of the programme, Pankaj Saraswat, Suman, Sidhu, film star
Sunil Shetty, Ali Hasan and Irfan Malik were charged with hurting the
sentiments of the Valmiki caste.</b>
So furious was the protest, that police had to be summoned to convince the
demonstrators to end their agitation.
Rakesh Narwale, the general secretary of the Dalit Sewak Samaj, said: " "A
Pakistani contestant named Irfan Malik made derogatory remarks in the Great
Indian Laughter show, which was telecast on 16 June. He hurt the sentiments
of our whole community. <b>We cannot tolerate this and we will hold nation-wide
protest against the five persons Sunil Shetty, Shekhar Suman, Navjot Singh
Sidhu, Pankaj and Irfan Malik. </b>We have filed complaint against them. If they
are not arrested, we will organise a nation-wide protest."
Vijay Begde, a leader of the Youth Valmiki Samaj Sewa, said: "Irfan had said
that he will not visit the basti (the area) of Dalits. If the serial had
been shot in advance why did they not censor the avoidable words that has
hurt the sentiments of the people."
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->