The Maharashtra Legislative Council on Friday approved an extension for the Privileges Committee to submit its report on comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare, both facing breach of privilege notices over remarks targeting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
BJP MLC Prasad Lad, who chairs the Privileges Committee, moved a motion in the Upper House seeking time until the final day of the legislature’s next session to file the report. The motion was passed without objection.
The controversy dates back to the Budget session earlier this year, when BJP MLC Pravin Darekar filed a breach of privilege notice against Kamra. The notice cited a parody song performed by the comedian, claiming it contained derogatory references to Eknath Shinde, who leads the ruling Shiv Sena.
Sushma Andhare, spokesperson for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), had publicly defended Kamra and allegedly used language that the notice described as contemptuous toward the legislature.
Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Shinde referred the matter to the Privileges Committee in June. Show-cause notices were sent to both Kamra and Andhare, but officials were unable to deliver them due to inaccurate address details.
Kamra’s comments came during a stand-up performance at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club, where he reportedly referred to Shinde as a “traitor” — a jibe at Shinde’s 2022 split from the Shiv Sena, which led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray government.
The Privileges Committee will now investigate the matter and submit its findings by the end of the next legislative session.
