Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra sparked a major controversy after calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a "traitor" (Gaddar) during his Naya Bharat performance at Habitat Studio in Mumbai. He also created a song mocking Shinde using the tune of Dil Toh Pagal Hai. Following this, Mumbai Police has summoned Kamra, asking him to appear before the investigating officer at 11 AM today.
The police stated that the summons were sent via WhatsApp after a copy was delivered to Kamra's parents; however, the comedian is currently not in Mumbai. On Monday, The MIDC police station in Mumbai registered an FIR against Kamra for his objectionable joke on Eknath Shinde.
On Monday evening, Kunal issued a statement following the backlash, asserting that he will not apologise. He said, "I will not apologise... I don't fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down," Kamra wrote and added that his statement was exactly what "Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM)".
He also made jokes about recent political developments in Maharashtra, including party splits within Shiv Sena and NCP.
Outraged by Kamra's comments, Shiv Sena party leaders vandalised the Habitat premises, where the comedian had performed the set. Following the attack, on Monday, Habitat Studio announced they were shutting down after Shiv Sena workers vandalised the premises.
The studio stated that artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices, and it has never been involved in the content performed by any artist.
On Monday, police arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for vandalising the show venue. However, the local court granted them bail the same day.
What did Kunal Kamra say?
Kunal took a dig, saying, "Jo inhone Maharashtra ke election me kia hai... bolna padega... pehle Shiv Sena BJP se bahar aa gayi fir Shiv Sena Shiv Sena se bahar aa gayi... NCP NCP se bahar aa gayi... ek voter ko 9 button dediye... sab confuse ho gaye..."
He further added, "Chalu ek jan ne kia tha... wo Mumbai me bohot badhiya ek district hai Thane waha se aate hain…," before performing a parody of Dil To Pagal Hai, where he referred to Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor).
