Christians irked by AIB Roast show, demand action

Christian organisations here have taken umbrage at a show by standup comedy group All India Bakchod (AIB) for hurting their religious sentiments and demanded action against those associated with the programme.

The Association of Concerned Catholics (AoCC) Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Maharashtra Education and Culture Minister Vinod Tawde.

AoCC secretary Judith Monteiro said they have protested against some statements in the show pertaining to Jesus and church.

"Derogatory statement mocks Mother Mary and Christ birth. It mocks our god. It mocks another worldwide religious event - the birth of Christ. This is not acceptable to us," the memorandum declared, seeking action against the culprits.

Monteiro said when the community attempted to lodge a police complaint, they were made to run from one place to another, from suburbs to city and no FIR has yet been lodged against the show organisers.

Besides the AoCC, the memorandum has been signed by Catholics for Preservation of Faith, Maharashtra Christian Youth Forum and Catholic Residents Organisation for Social Service.

The Maharashtra government and police have initiated separate probes into the show which has created a nationwide furore after a three-part edited version of the 'Roast', titled AIB Knockout was posted on online video-sharing platform YouTube Jan 28.

AIB Knockout was a December 2014 charity comic event where Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar and a panel of comedians "grilled" actors Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor on their personal and professional lives. 

But the clips were pulled down Tuesday by AIB after Tawde ordered a probe following complaints about the below-the-belt contents of the programme which was viewed by a 4,000-strong live audience, and which later generated over 8 million views on YouTube.

Several social and political organisations have demanded a ban on the video, public apologies from the organisers and action against those perpetrating in the allegedly vulgar content on the show.