NEW DELHI: Kunal Kamra‘s comedy special ‘Naya Bharat’ triggered political slugfest between the ruling party and the opposition leaders after Shiv Sena took offence to a joke on deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology from the comedian and said that even though there was “freedom to do stand-up”, “he cannot speak whatever he wants.”
Further, the opposition supported the comedian and slammed the state government for deteriorating law and order after the Sena leaders resorted to vandalism.
“There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologize. This will not be tolerated. There is the right to comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Dy CM Eknath Shinde purposely, it is not right,” Fadnavis said.
“Kunal Kamra has posted the same red constitution book shown by Rahul Gandhi. Both of them have not read the Constitution. The Constitution allows us freedom of speech, but it has limitations. People have voted and supported us in the assembly elections in 2024. Those who were traitors were sent home by the people. The people showed those who insulted the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray their place. One may create humour, but making derogatory statements cannot be accepted. One cannot encroach on others’ freedom and ideology. This cannot be justified as the Freedom of speech,” he added.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar advocated in favour of dissent and said that “there need not be Police involvement.”
“Nobody should go beyond law, Constitution and rules. They should speak within their rights. There can be differences, but it should be noted that there need not be Police involvement,” he said.
An FIR was registered against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Shinde. The police have registered a case against nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers for allegedly vandalizing Mumbai’s Khar-based Habitat Studio, where Kamra’s show featuring the “gaddar” (traitor) remark about Shinde was filmed. The workers also targeted a hotel housing the studio, officials said.
Attempt to ‘destroy Maharashtra’: Congress
Congress leader Nana Patole called it an attempt to “destroy Maharashtra”. He also slammed the state government and said that there was “no law and order” in the state.
“There is no law and order in Maharashtra. People are leaving Maharashtra out of fear. The industries are leaving from here. The government urges that there should be peace in the state, but they are engaging in vandalism like this. They want to destroy Maharahstra…,” he said.
Additionally, NCP’s (SP) Rohit Pawar expressed support for the comedian and said, “Such satirical remarks were a strength for several tall leaders, like Balasaheb Thackeray. Eknath Shinde is his worker. In 2003, such remarks were made on Chhagan Bhujbal, who is now in Mahayuti. At that time, his workers vandalized an office. Taking responsibility for it, Chhagan Bhujbal had resigned.”
Another Congress leader highlighted that Kamra did not mention any political leader’s name. “… That person didn’t mention anyone’s name. Otherwise, legal action could have been taken. But breaking into someone’s home to vandalise it is hooliganism. The public is paying the price of the internal conflict in BJP’s Maharashtra government… This is fascism and dictatorship,” Pramod Tiwari said.
‘This isn’t comedy – it’s vulgarity’
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC blasted Kamra’s comedy special calling it a “vulgarity”.
“You call Maharashtra’s most popular CM and deputy CM ‘gaddaar’ and label it comedy. This isn’t comedy – it’s vulgarity,” she said.
“Who is this Kunal Kamra, hired and used as a puppet by UBT as a diversionary tactic? Can you stoop so low for cheap publicity?” she added.
A large group of Shiv Sena workers gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai on Sunday, where the Habitat Studio is located. They vandalized both the studio and the hotel premises, according to the police.
Notably, the Habitat Studio, where Kamra’s show took place, is the same venue that previously hosted the controversial India’s Got Latent show. The Studio has announced its decision to temporarily shut down.
