AIB apologises to Christian community

Mumbai: Tendering an unconditional apology for their act, the All India Bakchod team released a statement on Monday addressed to the Archbishop of Mumbai.

Members of AIB 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.

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.

“Amidst the din over the AIB Knockout, we’ve had the opportunity to reach out to some groups who have had questions about the jokes and the taste they were made in. Our conversations with members of the government (and other political parties) have been civil and frank.

“Authorities at multiple levels have heard us out patiently and open-mindedly, and we thank them for that. In places where we expected hostility, we have found instead a heartening willingness to engage,” the AIB team stated.

AIB’s apology letter. Courtesy: AIB Facebook

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

Earlier, 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.

The AIB Knockout was premiered on YouTube amidst a lot of fan fare on January 28, 2015. The show created a nationwide furore after a three-part edited version of the ‘Roast’, titled AIB Knockout was posted online.

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.

The clips were later pulled down.