Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has responded strongly to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s recent parody that labelled him a ‘traitor,’ calling for limits on the freedom of speech. In a televised interview, Shinde defended his stance, saying while freedom of expression is crucial in a democracy, using it to target individuals with malicious intent—especially on someone else's instructions—is unacceptable. "Right to express is important in a democracy, but to say anything in guise of it and on the instruction of somebody is wrong," Shinde remarked, referring to Kamra's controversial remarks.
Shinde further elaborated that Kamra had made derogatory comments about prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Home Minister Amit Shah. "He has been saying such things for a while now. Many airlines have banned him. Who is behind him?" Shinde asked, pointing out the recurring nature of Kamra’s statements against government officials.
While Shinde condemned Kamra’s comments, he also clarified that he did not support the vandalism of the studio where Kamra performed. "I do not justify vandalism," Shinde acknowledged, but he speculated that the attack was driven by the emotional reaction of party workers. "This looks like a well-thought-out conspiracy," he added, implying there may be deeper political forces at play behind the incident.
The comedian’s remarks come at the height of controversy, following the release of a parody video in which Kamra mocked Shinde’s political rise, jokingly referring to him as a ‘gaddar’ (traitor). The video, which has gained significant attention, also sparked the vandalism of the Habitat Studio, where Kamra’s performance was held, by Shiv Sena workers. The studio has since closed its doors until further notice.
Kamra, known for his provocative comedy, has doubled down on his stance. In a late-night statement, the 36-year-old comedian rejected calls for an apology, stating, “I will not apologise or hide under the bed waiting for the controversy to die down.” He defended his act as an exercise in free speech, asserting that satirical comedy is not illegal. "Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich," Kamra declared, arguing that political figures should not be immune to critique.
Despite the controversy, Kamra’s video has gained widespread traction, with over 4.3 million views in just two days. On Tuesday, the comedian shared an edited version of the video, juxtaposing footage of Shiv Sena activists vandalising the venue with a parody song. Kamra also updated his social media bio with a disclaimer, warning viewers that his content contains coarse language and is intended for those not easily offended.
The dispute has divided opinion across India’s political spectrum. Some, like filmmaker Hansal Mehta, have defended Kamra, condemning the violence against the comedian and likening it to his own experience of censorship and intimidation by Shiv Sena over two decades ago. On the other hand, figures such as BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shiv Sena’s Dhairyasheel Mane have criticised Kamra, calling his actions a form of "anarchy" and demanding greater regulation of stand-up comedy platforms that they believe could promote divisiveness and hate speech. Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in, urging Kamra to apologise for his "low-level comedy".
Kamra remains defiant, emphasising that attacking a venue over a comedian’s words is senseless and counterproductive. As the situation continues to evolve, the debate around freedom of expression, satire, and the limits of political correctness in India shows no sign of abating. Kamra’s refusal to apologise, combined with the escalating political tensions, ensures that this controversy will remain a key talking point in the public sphere for the foreseeable future.
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