• Source:JND
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Kunal Kamra Controversy: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra was summoned by Khar police on Tuesday over his controversial remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Khar Police has asked Kunal Kamra to appear before the investigating officer at 11 am on Tuesday. Kunal Kamra is not in Mumbai right now, as per Mumbai Police. MIDC police had registered an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his remarks during a stand-up comedy show, which was transferred to Khar police for further investigation, news agency ANI quoted Mumbai police.

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Kunal Kamra Refuses To Apologise

Kunal Kamra has refused to apologise for his 'traitor parody' targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In his first response to the controversy, Kamra defended his comments, stating that he merely echoed words that were previously used by Ajit Pawar to describe Shinde.

“I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM). I don't fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he said in a post on X.

Upholding his right to freedom of expression, Kamra emphasised that making jokes about leaders was not unlawful.

“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,” he said.

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He also condemned the mob vandalism at Habitat, the venue where he made the ‘controversial’ remarks, asserting that the incident had no bearing on his words. 

“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,” he said. 

Kamra, however, expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with both the police and the courts if legal action is taken against him. He also raised concerns about whether the law would be applied equally to those responsible for the alleged vandalism of Habitat.