Mumbai Police Today (Mar 25) summoned comedian Kunal Kamra over a controversial joke about Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. As he’s currently out of Mumbai, the notice was also sent via WhatsApp.
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MAHARASHTRA: Mumbai Police today 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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