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Stop jokes about don, Pak, cops tell comic
Stand-up commedian Raju Shrivastav thought a threat call from Pakistan was just a prank by some friends. Then the Crime Branch dropped by with the same message, reports Presley Thomas.
Stand-up commedian Raju Shrivastav thought a threat call from Pakistan was just a prank by some friends. Then the Crime Branch dropped by with the same message.
“We are investigating the calls,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria. “Shrivastav has been asked not to mention Pakistan in his jokes,” he added.
For 15 days, Raju had been getting calls telling him to stop referring to ‘Bhai’ in his jokes on TV, said his brother Deepu. “The caller also threatened him with dire consequences.”
Raju had often joked about don Dawood Ibrahim, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.
“He kept saying, I am just a comedian. I make people laugh. Why would somebody be bothered about me?” said Deepu, also a comedian.
Said Shrivastav’s manager Rajesh Sharma: “The caller warned Raju he would lose his life if he continued to joke about Pakistan and Dawood.”
Security has been provided at Raju’s residence and office, and he has been asked to update the police on his whereabouts, Deepu said.
