On Comedian Kunal Kamra’s Eknath Shinde Joke, Devendra Fadnavis’ Reaction

Mumbai

Stepping out boldly in the defense of his friend and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that comedian Kunal Kamra must apologize for the comments he made against Shiv Sena leader which were responsible for party workers vandalizing a studio in Mumbai where the comedy show was filmed.

The Chief Minister stated that although he is not opposed to comedy, it is not okay to disrespect a person. “Such low-grade comedy and disrespecting the Deputy Chief Minister is not right,” he stated.

Rebutting Kunal Kamra’s “gaddar” dig at Eknath Shinde, Mr Fadnavis stated, “He should have seen Maharashtra people demonstrated who is ‘gaddar’ (traitor) and who is not in the 2024 elections. People have decided to whom belongs the legacy of Bal Thackeray.”

Emphasizing that the Kunal Kamra must apologize for his comments, he stated, “You cannot justify your fault by exhibiting such Constitution. The Constitution provides us with freedom but it is not absolute, you cannot trespass on others’ freedom. There are boundaries to it.”

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had stated that all should speak responsibly so that police need not step in. “No one should cross the law and the Constitution. One should speak within limits. Differences of opinion can be there, but one should be careful so that the police department does not have to step in because of their statements,” Mr Pawar told the media.

Shiv Sena employees yesterday took to the streets at Mumbai’s Habitat studio to protest against the comments made by Kunal Kamra during a show taped some weeks ago. Footage showed Sena employees wielding chairs and smashing cameras, lights and speakers at the studio.

Kunal Kamra targeted Eknath Shinde with a parody rendition of ‘Bholi Si Surat’, a hit track from the 1997 hit Dil To Pagal Hai. He employed the ‘gaddar’ (traitor) taunt on the Shiv Sena leader, who revolted against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, toppling his government and dividing the party. Several FIRs have been lodged against the comedian, one of which is based on a complaint filed by minister Pratap Sarnaik.

The studio, a popular location for stand-up comedy performances, has opted to close down temporarily. In a post on its official Instagram account, The Habitat stated that it has closed down “until we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in danger.“.

“We are appalled, concerned and highly distraught by the recent acts of vandalism against us. Artists are completely accountable for their opinions and artistic decisions. We have never had anything to do with the content performed by any Artist, but the recent incidents have led us to reconsider how we get blamed and targeted every time as if we are a stand-in for the performer,” it stated.

By the way, the studio made headlines recently for the ‘India’s Got Latent’ show where YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia had caused a huge controversy.

“We are closing down until we can determine how to offer a platform for unrestricted expression without exposing ourselves and our property to danger. We ask all artists, audience and stakeholders to freely air their opinions and advice and your counsel so we also honor the performers’ rights,” the studio stated.

Sena action has been criticized by its arch-nemesis, Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray. Directly targeting Mr Shinde, MLA Aaditya Thackeray has stated “only an insecure coward would respond to a song by someone”. He has also raised questions about the law and order in the state. Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has stated that Mr Shinde was not mentioned in Kunal Kamra’s joke. “Their vandalism is an indication that it pained them and there is some reality in the joke. What‘s this kind of intolerance? If you don’t like something, register a police complaint,” she said.

State minister Pratap Sarnaik, who has registered the complaint, claimed he is a minister and he does not favour vandalism. “But objectionable comments were made against our leader. If our leader is targeted, we will not spare anyone,” he added, and declared that the studio where the show was being conducted was “illegal”. Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora has lashed out at the Opposition and said taunting Mr Shinde, a “self-made leader”, is an expression of “classist arrogance”. “India is rejecting entitled monarchs & their bootlicking ecosystem that pretends to champion meritocracy & democracy.”

Mumbai Police have booked two cases in this regard: one against Kunal Kamra for his comments and another against Sena workers for the vandalism.