- By Raju Kumar
- Wed, 26 Mar 2025 02:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kunal Kamra Controversy: In the last few days, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra became a buzz of the town. Be it politicians or other opinion makers, everyone is expressing his views. Some of them criticised his joke over Maharashtra Deputy Chief Miniter Eknath Shinde, calling it a breach of the right to freedom of speech and expression, while others supported him, saying politicians should digest satire. People have completely contradictory opinions on the row which created a huge political outrage in Maharashtra.
Notably, the row gives relief to those who want to see some substantial discussions in the media and political circle as eventually, the Kunal Kamra controversy settled the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb row.
What was the controversy?
Kunal Kamra sparked up a political storm with his controversial 'gaddar' (traitor) joke, which was allegedly aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. During his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai's Khar area, Kamra had referred to Shiv Sena leader Shinde as a "traitor" and went on to sing a parody on him. Kamra used a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' to describe the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against his then boss Uddhav Thackeray.
Here, we listed the parties that took a stand over the controversy:
Opposing Kunal Kamra:
Shiv Sena: Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena enraged by the Kamra's 'gaddar' jibe at the deputy chief minister. Shinde's supporters vandalised Mumbai's The Habitat comedy club, where he had performed earlier. Also, they filed several FIRs against the comedian. Some of them threatened comedian, seeking his apology.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed strong reservations over the Kamra's satire, calling it a personal attack. Fadnavis on Monday said Kamra should apologise for insulting Shinde with his remarks, and asserted that "urban Naxals" and "Left liberals" supporting such acts will be taught a lesson.
Nationalist Congress Party: Senior NCP leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said, "Our CM Devendra Fadnavis had responded on this issue on behalf of the government. Our CM has said that action will be taken as per the law."
Republican Party of India (Athawale): Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday emphasised that the police should take appropriate action against him, adding that Kamra has now realised the consequences of his actions.
Parties supporting Kunal Kamra
Nationalist Congress Party (SCP): Sharad Pawar's party MLC Eknath Khadse said on Wednesday extended his support to the comedian saying the political satirist should not be stopped from speaking his mind.
"Kunal Kamra is a comedian, and sometimes in comedy it happens that what he thinks is truth. When he says something against the government, sometimes it can trouble them too, but the Constitution has given us the freedom of speech, if Kunal Kamra is saying something wrong then investigate that but don't stop him. Whatever he says reply to that, investigate if he says something wrong," Khadse told ANI in Mumbai.
Shiv Sena (UBT): Since the first day of the controversy, Thackeray's party threw its weight behind Kamra. Party leader Sanjay Raut, ""I don't know who is threatening Kunal Kamra or why. Kunal Kamra is someone I have known for many years. He is not the kind of artist who gets scared of threats. He won't surrender (Jhukega nahi). He would rather die than bow down or be afraid. Those issuing threats will soon find it difficult to continue their path." Raut told the media.
Congress: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari sharply criticised the vandalism committed by the youth wing of Shiv Sena's Shinde faction in the controversy over comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks, labelling it "hooliganism" and a sign of "fascism and dictatorship."
"Will not apologise": Kamra's stand
Kamra, who is reportedly in Tamil Nadu now, released his statement amid a stir over his jibe. Kamra stated that the 'inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change' the nature of his right. He asserted he would not opologise, but follow a court order only.