Team AIB apologises to Christian community

Mumbai, Feb 9
Members of the All India Bakchod Comedy Company met Bp. Agnelo Gracias, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay and offered an unconditional apology to the entire Christian community for any offence that may have been caused to its members as a result of the AIB Knockout.

Christian organisations here were irked by standup comedy group All India Bakchod (AIB) for hurting their religious sentiments through some statements and demanded action against those associated with the programme.

The Association of Concerned Catholics (AoCC) had also 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 the Church.

And now, Tanmay Bhat, Gursimran Khamba, Ashish Shakya, Rohan Joshi at AIB have apologised to them.

According to a post by Archdiocese of Bombay on Facebook, the members of the All India Bakchod Comedy Company met Bp. Agnelo Gracias and tendered an unconditional apology. Bp. Gracias, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Bombay, accepted the unconditional apology and in the spirit of understanding and reconciliation stated that the Archdiocese accepts the AIB apology and considers this matter closed.

The content of the apology letter was also shared along with the post on Monday.

The letter reads: “We, Tanmay Bhat, Gursimran Khamba, Ashish Shakya, Rohan Joshi at AIB hereby offer an unconditional apology to the entire Christian community for any offence that may have been caused to its members as a result of the AIB Knockout.

“While performing our acts, no matter the subject, we never intend to hurt anyone, though as an unfortunate consequence of the nature of our profession we sometimes do. We are sorry.”

They also urged that they have the “utmost respect for all religions and community and have never been against any community, nor do we bear any ill will of any kind towards any community.”

“We also believe and support with complete certainty the notion that every community has the right to live with dignity, honour and freedom from any form of persecution. We would also like to reiterate that the jokes at the AIB Knockout were not intended as a form of persecution or malice towards the Christian community or any other community, for that is not who we are, or what we stand for.”

The show had 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 later pulled down.