Kunal Kamra Row: Comedian Receives More Than 500 Death Threats Over Eknath Shinde Joke, Says Report

Amid the intensifying political row over Kunal Kamra's recent controversial jibe at Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the comedian has reportedly been receiving death threats from Shiv Sena workers.

As per a report by NDTV, the comedian has received over 500 calls, with some callers threatening to kill him and cut him into pieces.

The controversy stemmed from a viral video of Kunal Kamra's joke targeting Eknath Shinde, which led to strong reactions from both the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) supporters and the opposition.

On Tuesday, Mumbai Police has summoned Kamra for questioning on Tuesday. The comedian has requested a week's time to appear before the authorities.

Kunal Kamra's 'Gaddar' Remark

The entire controversy stemmed from Kunal Kamra's performance at the Habitat Comedy Club at the Unicontinental Hotel in the Khar area on Sunday. The 36-year-old stand-up comedian's content kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra for taking a jibe at Shinde's political career in his show.

Kamra had referred to Shinde as a "traitor" and went on to sing a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' to describe the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray.

'Action Causes Reaction': Shinde On Kunal Kamra Joke Row

Breaking his silence on the escalating political row, Shinde on Tuesday drew a similarity between comedian Kunal Kamra's jibe at him to taking "supari" (contract) to speak against someone. He also maintained that there should be decorum while making a satire; otherwise the "action causes a reaction".

"Freedom of speech is there. We understand satire. But there should be a limit. This is like taking 'supari' (contract) to speak against someone," Shinde said at a BBC Marathi event.

"This same person (Kamra) had commented on the Supreme Court of India, the Prime Minister, (journalist) Arnab Goswami and some industrialists. This is not freedom of speech; this is working for someone," Shinde added.

Shiv Sena Vandalises Venue

On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra's show took place, as well as the hotel in whose premises the club is located.

On Monday, the police arrested Shiv Sena worker Rahul Kanal and 11 others for vandalising the show venue. A local court granted them bail the same day.

'Inability To Take A Joke...': Kunal Kamra's Reaction

Responding to the development, Kamra on a social media post has said he will not apologize for his controversial comments about Shinde.

"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)".

"To the Mob That Decided That Habitat Should Not Stand: An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party."

Kamra also spoke about his right to freedom of speech and expression while calling out "politicians threatening to teach him a lesson".

"Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system. However, I am willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me.

Kamra said the vandalism at the venue was "senseless" and compared it to someone overturning a truck carrying tomatoes because they didn't like the butter chicken served to them.