One of the prominent Indian comedians – Kunal Kamra, stands by his right to make jokes after an angry mob attacked a comedy club where he was performing. Kunal Kamra, who has a huge fan base, is under investigation for alleged defamation by police in the western state of Maharashtra after he told a joke about the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Among many controversies, Kunal Kamra Political Joke Controversy is the latest to underscore the country’s declining freedoms and the sensitivities of India’s right-wing politicians, some of whom have called for the artist’s arrest.
In one of the videos posted on Kamra’s YouTube channel, the comedian apparently taking a jibe at Shinde. Though in the video, Kamra does not explicitly name the politician but, in a song, refers to a “gaddar,” or “traitor”, which is refereed to Shinde’s leadership of a rebellion in 2022, resulting in the collapse of state’s previous government.
About the Incident
Recently, BJP leader Pravin Darekar filed a breach of privilege notice against comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare for allegedly insulting Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Kamra made personal remarks, which were supported by Andhare. The use of objectionable language has resulted in the breach of privilege. Furthermore, Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare submitted a similar notice against Andhare for mocking CM Devendra Fadnavis.
The Mumbai Police booked a case of defamation against the comedian Kunal Kamra, who later refused to apologise for his remarks. In a statement on social media, Kamra announced that he would not apologise or bow down to the mob targeting him. He also hit out at the Mumbai civic body officials who demolished structures at the studio where he was shooting. Taking to social media, he stated that “Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure will not change the nature of my right”.
Soon after this controversy, Kamra garnered support on social media and elsewhere, drawing 6 million+ views for a YouTube video of the performance, and more than 58,000 comments within two days.
How Did the Political Joke Controversy Erupt?
In the stand-up comedy show, Kamra’s performance featured a parody song, on the tune of Dil To Pagal Hai, with a reference to Shinde’s 2022 defection from the undivided Shiv Sena. His use of the term “gaddar” (traitor) was the main cause of strong opposition from Shiv Sena leaders. The performance was recorded and soon uploaded on various social media platforms, which resulted in swift and intense reactions.
Kamra’s parody song about a traitor did not identify anyone but resulted in creating anger among Shinde’s hardline Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party, who ransacked the performance site and complained to the police regarding his act defaming the leader.
As per the spokesperson, Kamra declined to appear before police in Mumbai, due to death threats by party members.
Backlash and Legal Actions Against Kunal Kamra
Post this incident, the supporters of Shinde’s Shiv Sena party responded aggressively to Kamra’s act. Several party members vandalized the Habitat comedy club and caused significant damage. The destruction made by the supporters resulted in the temporary closure of the venue. A video of the incident showing dozens of men became online instantly. The video showed some men wearing scarves with the Shiv Sena logo smashing chairs and ripping the venue’s interior apart.
In addition to the physical backlash, several legal actions have been taken against Kamra. An FIR has been filed against him for defamation under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Kamra has been summoned by the Greater Mumbai Police for questioning. Despite these pressures, he has refused to apologize, asserting his right to political satire and freedom of expression.
Reaction of Jaya Bachchan, Tanmay Bhat, and Dhruv Rathee on Kunal Kamra Political Joke Controversy
The backlash against Kunal Kamra has sparked reactions from many eminent personalities, including comedians, politicians, and influencers.
- Following the backlash against Kamra, fellow comedian Tanmay Bhat addressed the issue on his YouTube channel by saying “Interesting week for comedy”. He mentioned that he also started receiving calls and messages on his well-being post Kunal’s controversy, reflecting the growing concern within the comedy community over artistic freedom.
- Jaya Bachchan also questioned the growing restrictions on freedom of expression in the country. She said that there is a restriction on speaking and people are restricted on speak only on certain topics. She further criticised the broader state of affairs, stating that there is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus – beat up the opposition, commit crimes against women, murder people. What else?
- YouTuber Dhruv Rathee also extended his support to Kunal Kamra, appreciating his courage in standing up against political backlash.
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Historical Context and Free Speech Debate
Freedom of speech is a part of India’s democratic constitution, but comedians in the world’s largest democracy have previously faced the wrath of angry politicians for their jokes. The recent incident also sheds light on the shifting stances of political parties regarding free speech. Parties often defend or condemn expressions as per their position in power, leading to accusations of hypocrisy and selective application of free speech principles. A similar incident occurred in 2020, under the Uddhav regime, when the Shiv Sena workers thrashed a retired Indian Navy man at his house. His only fault was that he shared a cartoon featuring Uddhav Thackery on WhatsApp.
Famous Comedians Who Landed in Trouble for Their Remarks
Tanmay Bhat: Tanmay Bhat, a renowned comedian and one of the founding members of AIB, has also sparked controversies many times. One of the controversies was in 2015 when the AIB Knockout, a roast show, faced much backlash from politicians and religious groups for allegedly being “vulgar and obscene.”
Kiku Sharda: Another popular actor and comedian Kiku Sharda was arrested in 2016 for mimicking Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. He faced allegations for “hurting religious sentiments” on popular TV show “Comedy Nights with Kapil”.
Conclusion
This recent controversy sets a reminder of the ongoing debate about the limits of humor, the role of political figures in addressing criticism, and the fundamental principles of free speech in a democratic society.
