Kunal Kamra News: A defiant Kunal Kamra has told Mumbai Police that he does not ‘regret’ labelling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde a ‘Gaddar’ or traitor. All hell broke loose when standup comedian Kunal Kamra on his recent comedy special, ‘Naya Bharat,’ uploaded on YouTube, and used a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’ to describe the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray.
What did Kunal Kamra Say?
Kunal Kamra, during a in his video uploaded on Youtube titled ‘Naya Bharat’, offered a rather acerbic jest at the expense of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde.
The core of the matter rests upon Kamra’s pointed, modification of a popular Bollywood tune, wherein he alluded to Eknath Shinde as a “traitor” for his political maneuverings.
At the Habitat Studio, situated within the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai’s Khar district, Kunal Kamra, during his performance, allegedly described Shinde as a “traitor”.
This jibe was delivered through a parody, wherein Kamra adapted a Hindi song from the movie ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’ to lampoon Eknath Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray.
What Kunal Kamra Told Mumbai Police?
Amidst reports that the Mumbai Police are tracking Kunal Kamra’s whereabouts following an official complaint regarding his rather pointed epithet of ‘gaddar’ directed at Eknath Shinde – a reference to the latter’s 2022 schism with Uddhav Thackeray – reports suggests that Kunal Kamra engaged with the the Mumbai cops from Tamil Nadu.
According to NDTV citing people in the know, Kunal Kamra has made it clear to Mumbai Police that he will not apologise unless compelled by the courts.
Kunal Kamra has also refuted any whispers that he received remuneration from the Maharashtra Opposition to specifically target Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena leaders accused him of running a “paid campaign” to tarnish Eknath Shinde’s image.
NDTV reports that Kunal Kamra granted the Mumbai Police leave to scrutinise his fiscal affairs – so as to confirm the absence of any such payment – should they deem it necessary.
Devendra Fadnavis Defends Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday morning said, “We respect freedom of expression, but recklessness will not be tolerated”.
“The 2024 assembly polls results have shown who is a ‘gaddar’ (traitor) and who is a ‘khuddar’ (self-respecting). People have put a stamp of approval on Shinde being the true inheritor of (Shiv Sena founder) Bal Thackeray’s legacy.”
“People have the freedom of satire and comedy. But insulting (a person) deliberately is not allowed. Kamra showed the red book of the Constitution which is carried by Rahul Gandhi. Both have not read the Constitution. He cannot justify his action by showing the book,” the CM said.
“The Constitution says when you attack others’ freedom, your own freedom is restricted,” Fadnavis said.
“Kamra cannot justify his actions and escape action by showing Rahul Gandhi’s Constitution (red book),” Fadnavis said.
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