Trouble mounts for Kunal Kamra as BJP MLC moves breach of privilege motion against stand-up comic

“Kunal Kamra composed a poem insulting Shinde. The same poem was recited again by Andhare. After that, she composed another poem, criticising Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This amounts to contempt of this House. Andhare has used wrong language about the former chief minister while speaking on social media and insulted both Houses. Because of Andhare’s low-level language and Kamra’s low-level criticism of Shinde, I am moving a breach of privilege motion against both of them in the House,” Darekar said. He added that both Kamra and Andhare disrespected the dignity of legislative institutions with their remarks.

The Legislative Council privilege committee is headed by BJP MLC Prasad Lad. When contacted, he said, “The Council chairman will accept the motion. It takes around eight days for the motion to come to us. Even though some past members of the committee have been elected to the Assembly, the majority of the members are still in the committee and we can hold our meeting,” Lad said, adding that “we will take action as per rules whenever the chairman accepts the motion”.

What happens after a privilege motion is moved?

The privilege committee has a right to call the person against whom the motion has been moved. Hearing on the allegations levelled against the person concerned take place and the person is asked to present his/her side. Following the hearing, the committee presents its report detailing whether breach of privilege took place or not.

As per rules, usually a person found guilty of breach of privilege submits an apology. Usually, punishments given include conveying dislike of the Legislative House to the person; bring the person in front of the House and admonish him/her; send the person to jail and in case of media the committee can cancel the gallery pass of the publication or it will have to publish the apology.

In the Maharashtra Assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare submitted a breach of privilege notice against Andhare for allegedly mocking Fadnavis. Presiding officer Sanjay Kelkar said Speaker Rahul Narwekar will take a decision on the notice.