Standup comedian Kunal Kamra has landed in hot water after he took a jibe at Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent show. Kamra allegedly cracked an objectionable joke, wherein he performed a parody of a popular Hindi song ‘Dil to Pagal Hai’, referring to Shinde as a ‘Gaddar’ (traitor), highlighting the politician’s defection from Shiv Sena in 2022.
He sang “Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadi, aankho me chashma haaye…Ek Jhalak dikhlaye khabi Guwahati me chup jaaye”. The comedian also said that Shiv Sena first came out of the BJP, then Shiv Sena came out of Shiv Sena, NCP came out of NCP, and now they have given nine buttons to one voter…everyone got confused.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged an FIR against Kamra. He said the comedian defamed Eknath Shinde by making derogatory statements about his moral conduct and also created hatred between the two political parties. Patel highlighted that Kamra tarnished the sentiments of their political party and rival political parties towards each other.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that such low-level comedy and disrespecting the deputy chief minister is not right. About Kamra’s gaddar jibe, he said the people of Maharashtra showed who is a traitor and who is not in the 2024 elections. Fadnavis highlighted that the people have decided as to who has the legacy of Bal Thackeray.
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Politicians Demand Strict Action Against Kunal Kamra
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar called on everyone to speak responsibly. He said no one should go beyond the law and the Constitution, one should speak within limits. Pawar believes that differences of opinion may exist, but care must be taken to ensure that the police department does not have to intervene due to their statements. Fadnavis also said that the Constitution gives everyone freedom but it is not absolute. “You cannot encroach on others’ freedom, there are limitations to it.”
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has demanded quick action against Kamra. It wants the comedian to apologize to Eknath Shinde within two days and threatened to not let him move about freely in Mumbai. Patel said if Kamra is seen anywhere in public, the Shiv Sainiks will paint his face black.
