Kunal Kamra Row: Deputy CM Shinde Breaks Silence, Terms It 'Taking Supari To Speak Against A Person'

Amid the ongoing row over comedian Kunal Kamra's controversial remarks, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Tuesday broke his silence on the political flare-up. The deputy CM in his reaction asserted, "we understand satire, but there should be a limit". On Monday, the video clip of Kamra's comedy show stoked a massive political controversy

Moreover, justifying the vandalism of the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar by Shiv Sena workers, where Kamra's show took place, he said, "action causes reaction."

Reacting to the development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Kamra should apologize for his "low-level comedy." The opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray said there was nothing wrong with what the comedian said and the Congress and the CPI(M) also came out in support of Kamra.

'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.

Kunal Kamra's 'Gaddar' Joke

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.

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.