Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has once again found himself at the centre of controversy after making a politically charged joke targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. During a recent performance, Kamra mocked Shinde by referring to him as a "traitor" while using the song "Dil To Pagal Hai."
The clip quickly went viral, sparking outrage, particularly among Shinde's supporters. In reaction, workers from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) damaged the office of The Unicontinental Mumbai in Khar West and led to legal action.
According to an official, Kamra’s monologue not only mocked Shinde but also targeted the ruling NCP and Shiv Sena. Following a complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Kamra under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and Section 356(2) (defamation), as confirmed by the MIDC police station.
Indian Comedians Who Faced Backlash for Political Jokes
Kamra's recent incident isn't the first time a comedian has faced backlash due to political remarks. Over the years, several Indian comedians, including Vir Das and Munawar Faruqui, have encountered significant backlash for their satirical takes on political figures and socio-political issues. Here’s a closer look at some comedians who have experienced similar fates:
Vir Das
In 2021, Vir Das made headlines after delivering a monologue titled 'Two Indias' at the Kennedy Centre in Washington. The performance addressed various socio-political topics in India, which sparked outrage among right-wing groups and politicians.
One of Das's most controversial lines was, "I come from an India where we worship women during the day and gang-rape them at night," which didn't settle well with many people. He was labelled a terrorist, and as many as seven FIRs were filed against him, with accusations of defaming India.
Varun Grover
Varun Grover faced backlash for his outspoken criticism of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). His poem 'Hum Kaagaz Nahi Dikhayenge' became a rallying chant for anti-NRC protests, resonating widely due to its powerful message.
Inspired by Bengali protest slogans and Rahat Indori's poetry, the poem drew both praise and backlash. Grover also co-hosted Bharat Ek Mauj, a satirical show targeting government policies, which led to online threats and calls for show cancellations.
Munawar Faruqui
Munawar Faruqui's controversy began in January 2021 when he was arrested during a stand-up performance in Indore. He was accused of making derogatory remarks about Hindu deities and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Faruqui spent over a month in jail despite no clear evidence of the alleged comments. Although his popularity grew due to the controversy, right-wing groups continued to disrupt his career by cancelling several of his shows.
Tanmay Bhat
Co-founder of All India Bakchod (AIB), Tanmay Bhat, too, has faced severe backlash for his comedy sketches. His infamous AIB Knockout roast led to FIRs and nationwide moral outrage. However, it was his 2016 Sachin vs Lata Civil War video that escalated matters further.
Using Snapchat filters, Bhat mimicked cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar, triggering anger across political lines. Shiv Sena and MNS demanded action, with MNS even threatening physical assault. FIRs were subsequently filed.
Agrima Joshua
Agrima Joshua became a target of right-wing fury in 2020 after making jokes about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Her comments, intended as humour, were misunderstood, leading to online harassment, including death and rape threats.
Joshua's remarks, which included a joke about a proposed Shivaji statue's technological features, sparked violent outrage. She was forced to apologise and remove the video after widespread backlash.
