The Maharashtra government on Monday sought an apology from comedian Kunal Kamra over his stand-up on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. File | Photo Credit: CMO Maharashtra X via ANI
The Maharashtra government on Monday (March 24, 2025) sought an apology from comedian Kunal Kamra over his stand-up on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling it a political ‘contract act’. The government said it would also check his CDRs and bank statements “to ascertain who is behind this”.
Meanwhile, the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) razed the illegal structure outside the Habitat studio and said it would screen the location for any further illegalities. The action came amid Opposition’s criticism against the government over its intolerance to jokes and comments. The issue rocked the Maharashtra Assembly session as the Mahayuti leaders demanded action in both the Houses, creating a ruckus over it. “Freedom [of expression] can’t be allowed to turn into arbitrariness,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
A First Information Report has been registered against the stand-up comedian by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) and 356(2) of the BNS at the MIDC police station in Mumbai.
Earlier in the day, the Mumbai Police arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks, including Shiv Sena social media in-charge Rahool Kanal, over the vandalism of The Unicontinental Hotel in Khar where the comedy show was performed. They were released on bail in a few hours.
Mr. Fadnavis said Mr. Kamra could not “save himself of his sins by showing Rahul Gandhi’s Constitution.”
“He holds the Constitution which Rahul Gandhi holds too. Neither of them read it. There is a limitation to freedom of expression,” he said.
“The way stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has tried to insult Eknath Shinde, we condemn it. The people of Maharashtra have decided in the 2024 election as to who is a ‘gaddar’ (traitor) and who is a ‘khuddar’ (self-respecting person). Everyone has the right to do comedy. But if there is an intentional effort to insult and defame a top leader, it won’t be tolerated. Proper legal action will be taken. Kunal Kamra should apologise,” he demanded.
Several leaders of the Shiv Sena hit out at Mr. Kamra. “Did you know that you can rent a comedian and use him as your puppet?!?!. Or as a mere diversionary tactic. Kamra’s comment, “Meri nazar se tum dekho gaddar nazar wo aaye,” is not comedy but its vulgarity. Obviously he does not know what it takes for an autorickshaw driver to work his way with public support to emerge as a CM and DyCM of Maharashtra, with the popularity of “mieknathshinde. The cadre of @Shivsenaofc demands legal action against @kunalkamra88,” Shaina N.C. of the Shiv Sena posted on her social media account X.
The Shiv Sena UBT came out in support of the comedian, with Uddhav Thackeray saying, “Calling a ‘gaddar’ a ‘gaddar’ is not an attack.” The Congress hit out at the government after the Shiv Sainiks took law in their hands.
“Your sentiments get hurt so easily. You can’t take law in your hands. Why are you so scared of comments and criticism? We don’t support this vandalism at all. The law is with you. You are sitting on a constitutional position. The police are yours. You immediately go to the police and register a complaint.
But nobody can be given the right of vandalism in a democracy, in the rule of law. The law will have to look into it. Comedians, writers, poets critique what happens in the society around them. If you have such a big problem about his language, you should ban him. Why are you so scared of criticism? It is against freedom of speech, it is against the Constitution,” said Congress leader Atul Londhe. The Aam Aadmi Party also criticised the government for failing to maintain law and order in Mumbai.
Seven times Kunal Kamra courted political controversy
Mr. Kamra posted a photograph of himself with a copy of the Constitution in his hand, on his Instagram account. Habitat (indiehabitat) posted on its Instagram handle that it was shutting down “till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy.”
“We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer,” the statement said.
“The Habitat has always been a neutral platform for all kinds of artists to share their work in any language — for anything that requires a stage our doors remain open. Just providing a stage helps to encourage people in discovering their creativity, build their talent, and sometimes find new career. The stage belongs to an artist while they’re on it. Artists create their own content, their words and expressions are their own. We urge constructive conversations, not destruction, to address disagreements. We do not support hate or harm of any kind. Violence and destruction undermine the very spirit of art and dialogue,” it said further.
Published – March 24, 2025 11:29 pm IST
