Kunal Kamra Defiant Amid Backlash Over Jokes on Maharashtra Deputy CM

Indian comedian Kunal Kamra has refused to apologise after his stand-up show jokes targeting Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde sparked outrage among Shinde’s supporters.

Kamra’s remarks quickly went viral, leading to protests and vandalism at the Mumbai venue where the show took place. Despite mounting pressure from political leaders, Kamra remains firm in his stance, defending his right to free speech.

Controversy Over Kamra’s Jokes

Clips from Kamra’s latest show, Naya Bharat (New India), have been circulating widely online. The comedian referenced Shinde’s 2022 defection from the Shiv Sena, which triggered a political crisis in Maharashtra.

Kamra’s parody song, which indirectly portrayed Shinde as a traitor, angered supporters of the ruling coalition.

Shiv Sena workers reacted strongly, vandalizing the hotel in Mumbai where the performance was held. Following the incident, the police registered a case against Kamra and arrested 12 Shiv Sena members involved in the destruction. All were later released on bail.

Political Reaction and Legal Action

Shinde distanced himself from the vandalism but remarked that comedians should “maintain a certain standard.” Speaking to BBC Marathi, Shinde said, “There is freedom of expression. We understand satire. But there should be a limit.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also criticised Kamra and demanded an apology. “None of us are against freedom of speech. We support satire or even political satire, but there are limits,” Fadnavis said.

Kamra, however, has refused to back down. In a statement released on Monday night, he said he would “cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action” but questioned whether the law would also hold those responsible for vandalism accountable.

“But will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke?” Kamra asked.

Fallout and Venue Closure

The controversy forced Habitat Studio, the comedy club where the show was filmed, to shut down temporarily.

The venue released a statement saying it would remain closed until it could find “the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy.”

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also demolished parts of the hotel, citing alleged building violations. However, opposition leaders have questioned the timing of the action, suggesting it was politically motivated.

Kamra Faces Legal Pressure

Kamra’s legal troubles have intensified as Mumbai Police are expected to issue a second summons under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). His request for a week’s time before appearing for questioning was denied.

The charges against Kamra include defamation and public mischief under various BNS provisions.

Despite the legal pressure, Kamra has stated that he will not apologise or retract his comments. “As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system,” Kamra said.

Political Divisions and Support for Kamra

The incident has further deepened political divisions in Maharashtra. Leaders from the Shiv Sena’s rival faction, led by Uddhav Thackeray, have voiced support for Kamra.

Thackeray stated that Kamra had “done nothing wrong” and was merely “stating facts and voicing public opinion.”

Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece, Saamana, highlighted the hypocrisy in the response to Kamra’s jokes. The publication noted that slogans about “khoke” (money power) were already widely known in Maharashtra. “Kunal Kamra merely rehashed this in a parody song, so what was new?” the editorial questioned.

The editorial further criticised the BMC’s action, suggesting that the authorities noticed the alleged building violations only after the venue hosted a politically charged performance. It accused Fadnavis of failing to protect freedom of speech and instead pressuring Kamra to apologise.

Satire and Political Critique

Kamra remains unfazed by the controversy. On Wednesday, he released a new parody song targeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the BJP government.

The song, based on the Bollywood hit Hawa Hawai from Mr India, criticised the government for increasing taxes and mismanaging public funds.

“Traffic badhane yeh hai aayi, bridges giraane yeh hai aayi, kehte hai isko tanashahi (dictatorship),” the song’s lyrics state. The parody accuses the government of burdening the middle class while allowing corporations to evade higher taxes.

Kamra also released a separate parody video, Hum Hongey Kangal (We Will Be Paupers), mocking the vandalism at Habitat Studio. The video juxtaposed footage of the destruction with satirical lyrics, reinforcing his message about the state of free speech in India.

Ongoing Conflict

Kamra’s case echoes previous legal troubles faced by Indian comedians. In 2021, comedian Munawar Faruqui was jailed over accusations of hurting religious sentiments, though he hadn’t even performed the jokes in question.

Similarly, comedian Vir Das faced outrage and police complaints after a US show where he spoke about the contradictions in Indian society.

Kamra’s defiance signals that the conflict over political satire and free speech in India is far from over. Despite legal pressure and political backlash, Kamra remains resolute in his position. “I will not hide under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he declared.