Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is in the eye of a fresh controversy after his recent show at Mumbai's Habitat Comedy Club. His spoof of the Bollywood number Bholi Si Surat to label Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a "Gaddar" (traitor) has set off a huge backlash from the Shiv Sena faction led by Shinde. The outrage has resulted in protests, vandalism, and an FIR against Kamra, ratcheting up the tensions between the ruling alliance and the opposition.
In his recent show, Naya Bharat, Kamra did a satirical rendition of the ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ song, altering the lyrics to imply that Shinde was a "Gadaar,” a traitor.
His performance clip went viral, which enraged Shiv Sena supporters who came out onto the streets in protest. The Party youth members Yuva Sena vandalized Hotel Unicontinental, which hosted the show, and Habitat Comedy Club on Sunday evening. Photographs of Kamra were also set ablaze by protesters, demanding his arrest.
After a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, Mumbai Police have filed an FIR against Kamra under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), such as Section 353(1)(b)—Statements leading to public mischief and Section 356(2)—Defamation.
Fueling the fire, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske charged Kamra with being a "hired comedian" in the employ of the opposition Uddhav Thackeray-led faction. He threatened to "chase Kamra all over the country" and "drive him out of India" if he persisted. Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Affairs, Yogesh Ramdas Kadam, meanwhile, was supportive of freedom of speech but warned against misuse, asserting that Kamra would be dealt with.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticized Kamra's statements, referring to the Indian Constitution, saying that "freedom of speech has its limitations" and demanding an apology. "The citizens of Maharashtra have already made it clear who the true 'Gaddar' is. Kamra should apologize, or we will make sure that action is taken against him," Fadnavis said.
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also attacked Kamra, labeling his act as "cheap publicity." "Describing Maharashtra's most popular CM and Deputy CM as 'Gaddar' is not a joke but an effort to seek attention. Kamra is an opposition puppet," she alleged.
Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leaders have condemned the vandalism and intimidation of Kamra. Aaditya Thackeray labeled the assault on the comedy club a "cowardly act," contending that the violent overreaction only vindicated Kamra's argument.
NCP leader Rohit Pawar put into question the intolerance in the political culture of Maharashtra, highlighting that Balasaheb Thackeray himself practiced political satire. "Satirical comments are the part of politics. Leaders ought to instruct their workers and not support such acts of violence," Pawar said.
Congress MP Imran Masood cautioned that the scandal might damage Maharashtra's investment environment. "This increasing culture of intolerance is harming the state. Investors require peace and stability, not a culture where comedians are attacked for making jokes," he added.
It is not the first time Kamra has been in legal hot water for his outspoken political comedy. Here are some of his previous controversies:
The Mumbai Police also continue investigating both Kamra's comment and the vandalism of the venue. In the meanwhile, the political battle between Uddhav Thackeray's faction and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has further escalated. Amid the furor, Habitat Studio, where Kamra had performed, has declared its indefinite shut-down, citing worries about safety and freedom of expression.
Kamra has not made an official statement on the FIR or the incident as yet, but considering his record, he is not likely to give up without a fight. While the battle between free speech and political sensitivities continues, one thing is certain – this row is far from dying down.