Comedian Pulkit Mani Cancels Shows Amid Modi Mimicry Row

Comedian Pulkit Mani has pulled the plug on his upcoming shows in Lucknow and Kanpur. This comes after a backlash that began with his impressions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Congress rally in Indore last week.

The controversy centered around Mani's mimicry of Modi at Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event on September 19. Which sparked heated debate among party members. Two days later, Mani took to the stage for Gandhi's student-focused gathering in Indore.

Mani attributes the decision to a series of escalating incidents involving aggressive supporters, who have reportedly made repeated threats against him. During his appearance on the programme, Mani engaged in a satirical sketch with Gandhi, mimicking Modi's distinctive speech patterns and mannerisms.

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The performance also subtly referenced Modi's interactions with foreign dignitaries and a notable incident in which he offered his seat to an elderly woman.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called Gandhi an “Asanskari naraz fufa” [an angry, immoral uncle]. He wrote that the “need to come on stage every now then just to drag Prime Minister Modi ji’s name into cheap political theatre never fails to amaze me”.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam, Ramesh said. Gandhi had exposed “the system that has been suppressing students”. He alleged that the BJP-RSS had seized control of institutions across the country and shared the education system had been “hollowed out and corrupted”.

The Congress party defended Gandhi’s wider campaign, seeking to shift the focus back to the issues raised at the Indore event.

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sharply rebuked the event, characterizing it as a stark reflection of dishonesty. He emphasized that any self-respecting individual would instinctively offer their seat to a woman, elderly person, or someone with disabilities.

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His comments were echoed by Madhya PradeshIt was Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Who lamented the Congress party's erosion of values and the actions of those intent on undermining India's fabric and its cultural identity.

Pulkit Mani has over 6,17,000 followers on Instagram and over 1,13,000 subscribers on YouTube. His performances often spark heated debates among party members, as seen in the recent controversy surrounding his impressions of Prime Minister Modi.

The incident has led to a wider discussion about the role of satire in politics and the limits of free speech. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have criticized Gandhi for using the stage to mock the Prime Minister.