Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra Today (Mar 28) approached the Madras High Court for transit anticipatory bail after an FIR was filed in Mumbai. He seeks protection from arrest over alleged comments made about Deputy CM Eknath Shinde during his show.
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Tamil Nadu: Popular stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra filed a request in the Madras High Court asking for transit anticipatory bail. He is seeking protection from arrest after an FIR (First Information Report) was lodged against him by the Khar police station in Mumbai. The FIR was filed due to remarks he allegedly made during one of his comedy performances.
Kunal Kamra is currently in Tamil Nadu. He approached the court because he is afraid that he might be arrested while an investigation is ongoing into his comments about Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde.
The FIR registered by Mumbai police mentions that Kamra made certain statements in his show which are now being looked into by authorities. As a result, Kamra has requested the Madras High Court to give him legal protection while he travels back to Mumbai, where the case has been filed.
In his court application, Kamra highlighted his concern that he could be arrested as soon as he reaches Mumbai. That’s why he is asking for transit anticipatory bail — a legal protection that allows someone to apply for bail from a court in another state, before going to the court where the case is filed.
Kamra’s legal team has argued that the comedian was simply exercising his right to free speech during his performance. They also added that comedians often use satire and humor to express opinions and shouldn’t be criminalized for that.
Kamra can be seen in a photo holding a copy of the Constitution of India, symbolizing his reliance on the fundamental rights guaranteed by it, including freedom of speech and expression.
BACKGROUND
MAHARASHTRA: Mumbai Police sent a second legal notice yesterday to well-known stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra. This is related to a case filed against him in Mumbai for allegedly making disrespectful and offensive comments about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
According to the information received, this second summon was sent to Kamra on Wednesday, just a day after the first summon was issued. The case has been registered at Khar Police Station. This complaint was officially filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel. In the notice, Kamra has been asked to personally come and meet the investigating officer handling the case.
The first summon was already issued on Tuesday, and it asked Kamra to come to the Mumbai police station for questioning regarding the defamation case.
Meanwhile, the issue has taken a political turn, as opposition leaders are now attacking the ruling BJP party over how this case is being handled. Senior leader Ambadas Danve from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) has criticised BJP for showing double standards.
He said-
“Kunal Kamra directly criticised prime minister Modi in his show, and the BJP took no offence. But the same party was outraged over a parody song that did not even name Shinde. It appears the BJP is using Shinde as a front to target Kamra.”
Danve questioned why BJP didn’t react when Kamra had directly taken on Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier, but now the party is showing such strong objection to a parody song that doesn’t even mention Eknath Shinde by name. He hinted that the BJP might be using Eknath Shinde’s name just to go after the comedian.
At the same time, Kunal Kamra himself has now spoken out, and he has strongly criticised the famous Bollywood music company T-Series. Kamra said that T-Series flagged his latest comedy special titled ‘Naya Bharat’ on YouTube, claiming it was a copyright violation.
Kamra reacted strongly by sharing a screenshot of his video being taken down and accused the company of working against freedom of expression.
He said, “being a stooge”, and defended his work by saying that comedy and parody are part of fair legal use under copyright law.
This controversy is getting bigger day by day, and now it is not just a legal issue, but also becoming a political and free speech matter. Many people on social media have also started discussing whether artistic expression, especially comedy and satire, should be protected under freedom of speech or not.
EARLIER SUMMON
Mumbai Police on Mar 25 sent a notice to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and asked him to come and give his statement in a case that was filed against him. This case is related to a joke he made about Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, which many people found controversial.
As per police sources, the Khar police station team went to Kamra’s house in Mumbai, where his parents live, to give him the summons. But Kamra is not in Mumbai right now. So, police have also sent the notice to him through WhatsApp.
At the same time, Shiv Sena leader Mangesh Kudalkar has also filed a complaint at Kurla Nehrunagar police station against Kamra. He has asked the police to register a case immediately.
Kunal Kamra is currently in Puducherry. He has informed the police that he is ready to fully cooperate with them in this matter. Earlier, a Zero FIR was also filed against Kamra by the MIDC police for making a joke that some people thought was offensive during one of his comedy shows.
On the other hand, the Khar police have also taken action against Yuva Sena general secretary Rahool Kanal. He has been booked under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Maharashtra Police Act for damaging property.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 9, Dixit Gedam said that two cases have been registered at Khar police station. One case is against Kunal Kamra for making insulting comments, and the second case is against the people who damaged the Unicontinental Hotel. This hotel is where Kamra’s show was being shot. The police also said that the investigation is still going on.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena is demanding that Kamra should say sorry without any conditions. At the same time, the opposition is criticizing the government for acting too fast in filing a case against Kamra but not taking action against those who showed disrespect towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
However, Kunal Kamra has made it clear that he will not apologise. Late on Monday night, he posted a message saying,
“I don’t fear this mob and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down.”
He also wrote on social media platform X,
“I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr Ajit Pawar (first DCM) said about Mr Eknath Shinde (second DCM). To the political elders threatening to teach me lesson, Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only used routinely to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. 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.”
He further added,
“However, I am willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me. 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? And against the unelected members of the BMC, who have arrived today at Habitat without prior notice and tore the place down with hammers? Perhaps for my next venue, I will opt for Elphinstone bridge, or any other structure in Mumbai that’s in need of speedy demolition.”
In another strong message, Kamra addressed the group who attacked the venue of his show. He said,
“To the mob that decided that Habitat should not stand. An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you did not like the butter chicken you were served.”
This entire situation has now become a hot topic in Maharashtra politics. On one side, the ruling party and its supporters are demanding action against Kamra for insulting their leader. On the other hand, many people are standing with Kamra, saying that freedom of speech should be protected and comedy should not be treated like a crime.
Kamra’s bold refusal to apologise and his firm stand on freedom of speech have triggered mixed reactions across political and public platforms. While the legal investigation is still in process, many are keeping an eye on how fairly the law will treat both the comedian and the vandals.
This case has now raised bigger questions-
- Is it okay to joke about political leaders in a democracy?
- Should comedians be afraid of mobs and legal notices?
- Or should we all be able to laugh at ourselves, including the powerful?
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