Kunal Kamra row: CM Fadnavis warns of action against those spreading lies, Opposition backs comedian

Fadnavis’s remarks came a day after Kamra posted a video of his stand-up show in which he takes a jibe at Shinde.
On Monday, the Mumbai police booked the comedian for defamation and arrested 12 Shiv Sena workers for vandalising the Habitat studio in Khar where Kamra had performed the show. The 12 Sena workers were later released on bail by the Bandra magistrate court.

In the video clip of the show, Kamra refers to Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor).

Kamra’s remark triggered a political slugfest in Maharashtra with ruling Mahayuti leaders demanding action against the comedian and the Opposition MVA backing him.

While speaking to reporters outside the Assembly Monday, Fadnavis said, “This is wrong. You do comedy, do satire. But if someone is trying to insult, it will not be tolerated. Freedom should not be unrestrained behaviour. Kamra should apologise for his behaviour. An action would be taken against him as per the law.”

As Shiv Sena MLA Arjun Khotkar raised the issue and ruling party MLAs protested demanding action against Kamra in the legislative Assembly, Fadnavis said, “It is a serious issue. None of us are against freedom of speech. We support satire or even political satire. We believe in freedom of expression. But if it is going to anarchy, we won’t accept it.”

Demanding Kamra’s arrest, Khotkar said, “Kamra makes statements against Hindu deities as well and he can incite riots. He should be arrested. He has made comments on the Supreme Court as well… His phone call records, funding should be probed.” Following this, ruling Shiv Sena and BJP MLAs gathered in front of the Speaker demanding Kamra’s arrest.

As the protest continued, the Speaker adjourned the House for five minutes.

As the House regrouped, Fadnavis said: “Kamra in the past has targeted the PM, CJI, Judges and the judiciary. This person likes to create controversy to gain publicity. In this video, he targeted former CM Eknath Shinde and tried to make low level comedy. The people of Maharashtra in the 2024 polls decided who is gaddar (traitor) and khuddar (self-respecting). The people decided who truly belongs to the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. Is he (Kamra) bigger than the people of Maharashtra?”

Targeting the opposition for supporting Kamra, the CM said, “Have you given any contract to Kamra? Kamra has posted a photo with the Constitution which is often used by Rahul Gandhi. But the Constitution does not give you the right to insult anyone. We will take action in such cases…”

Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said everyone should speak responsibly so that police do not need to intervene.

“No one should go beyond the law and the Constitution. One should speak within limits. 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,” Pawar said.

In a post on X, Shinde Sena MP Milind Deora said that “elitist and classist people, who disguised as comedians, need to be called out.”

Uddhav Sena backs Kamra

Meanwhile, the Opposition slammed the state government over the action against Kamra and vandalism of Habitat studio by Sena workers.

“The ruling side must be ready to tolerate the criticism. Do they want to run the state in dictatorial fashion? Those who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj face no action but comedians are targeted for criticising the minister,” said Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar.

Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray extended his support to the comedian and said “I will stand behind Kunal Kamra. I don’t think Kunal Kamra has said anything wrong. Calling ‘traitor’ a ‘traitor’ is not an attack on anyone.”

Earlier in the day, the legislative council was also adjourned with Sena UBT leader and Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve raising the issue of vandalism of Habitat studio.

Reacting to the CM’s demand that Kamra should apologise, Danve said, “Why should he apologise? He said the truth. We have been saying it daily because it’s the truth.”

Questioning the action against Kamra, Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said, “If such cases are being registered, then all the MLAs and MPs should be booked (for criticising)… You are in fact targeting weak people like journalists, artists and poets who are telling the truth.”