• Source:JND
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Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra was granted pre-arrest bail on Friday after he approached the Madras High Court earlier in the day seeking interim protection in the case related to his jokes on Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. A massive controversy erupted with Shiv Sena workers vandalising the venue where Kamra performed on Sunday.

The court granted Kamra relief on the condition that he execute a bond to the satisfaction of the judicial magistrate at Vanur in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu. Justice Sunder Mohan also issued notice to the second respondent (Khar Police) and posted the matter to April 7.

An FIR was filed against Kunal Kamra by the Khar police on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel for making defamatory remarks against Eknath Shinde. Kamra on Friday approached the Madras High Court and submitted that he moved to Tamil Nadu from Mumbai in 2021 and has been "ordinarily a resident of this State since then" and that he feared arrest by Mumbai Police.

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In his petition, Kamra submitted he has been working on and touring with his latest tour titled "Naya Bharat," over the past year. The theme and content include a humorous yet critical take on "Ambani's Wedding," Diwali's impact--how the festival affects people, animals, and birds and Parody songs – "A musical finale that adds an extra layer of humour to the show".

He submitted he is innocent of the offences levelled against him and that he has been falsely implicated in the case. Although the FIR has been registered in Khar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, he is seeking anticipatory bail from Madras HC as he resides within its jurisdiction and "fears imminent arrest at the hands of the 2nd Respondent police if he were to travel to Mumbai and seek regular Anticipatory bail there."

Kamra sparked a row with his "gaddar" (traitor) joke allegedly aimed at Eknath Shinde. Several political leaders condemned his remarks during a stand-up show and demanded action against him. Following the controversy, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena youth group, Yuva Sena, vandalised the Habitat comedy venue where the show was filmed.

The comedian, who has had several run-ins with the BJP-led Centre, has refused to apologise for his remark against Shinde. However, he has said that he would cooperate with the police.

"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 as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served", Kunal Kamra's statement read.

Kunal Kamra also replied to political leaders 'threatening' him to teach a lesson in his official statement. 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 added that it is not against the law as far as his knowledge.

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"Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used 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", Kunal Kamra's statement added.