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Kunal Kamra Summoned by Police over "Traitor" Remark on Eknath Shinde
Comedian Kunal Kamra was summoned by the Khar police on Tuesday over his contentious remarks about Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kamra, while performing a set, referred to Shinde as a "traitor" in a parody of a Bollywood song. The police issued a notice asking the comedian to appear before the investigating officer at 11 am, though Kamra is reportedly not in Mumbai at the moment.
Although Kamra was out of town, the notice was still delivered to his Mumbai residence. A recent viral audio clip revealed that Kamra had informed a supporter of Shiv Sena that he was in Tamil Nadu at the time. According to reports, the summon was also sent to him via a WhatsApp message.
The controversy stems from Kamra’s performance at the Habitat Comedy Club, where he performed a parody of a song from the film Dil Toh Pagal Hai. In the parody, Kamra labeled Shinde a "gaddar" (traitor), a reference to Shinde’s role in the 2022 rebellion that split the Shiv Sena and ultimately led to the collapse of the then Uddhav Thackeray-led government.
Following the release of the video, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar and a hotel where the club is located. The Mumbai police filed a defamation case against Kamra and registered an FIR against some members of Shinde’s Yuva Sena, including his close aide, Rahul Kanal, for vandalising the comedy club. Those involved in the vandalism have been granted bail.
Despite the growing controversy, Kamra has made it clear that he will not apologise for his remarks. Taking to social media platform “X”, Kamra said, "To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me incessantly: I am sure you’ve realized by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate."
He also criticised the media’s coverage of the incident, reminding them that “press freedom in India ranks at 159.” Kamra reiterated that he would not apologise, adding, “What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM).”
In addition to vandalism of the venue, Kamra has reportedly received numerous threatening calls. “I don’t fear this mob and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he declared.
