Comedian Kunal Kamra is in the midst of a controversy after making remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, which have sparked political tensions and widespread protests. Kamra, known for his satirical comedy, was performing at a stand-up show at the Unicontinental Hotel in Mumbai’s Khar area, where he mocked Shinde’s defection from the Shiv Sena and his alliance with the BJP. The jokes, which included a parody of a Bollywood song from Dil To Pagal Hai, were aimed at Shinde, even though Kamra did not mention him by name. His performance quickly gained attention on social media, and it led to a series of protests and even violence.
Kamra’s comedic act, which he later shared on social media, included a modified song making fun of Shinde’s political shift. He joked, “Chalu ek jan ne kia tha… wo Mumbai me bohot badhiya ek district hai Thane waha se aate hain…” followed by lyrics mocking Shinde’s politics. His version of the song included lines like, “Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadi, aankho me chashma haaye… ek jhalak dikhlaye kabhi Guwahati me chup jaaye… meri nazar se tum dekho gaddar nazar wo aaye…” Kamra’s audience immediately understood the references, as Shinde represents Thane and led the rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership in 2022.
Fir Lodged Against Kunal Kamra
The comments incited anger from supporters of Shinde, leading to chaos. Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) workers stormed the hotel’s office where Kamra performed, causing damage and throwing chairs. Amid the uproar, Shinde’s supporters issued threats to the comedian. Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed an FIR against Kamra for his remarks. In response, Kamra shared a short post on X (formerly Twitter), with a picture of himself holding a small copy of the Constitution, accompanied by the words, “The only way forward.”
The controversy escalated further as Shiv Sena leaders and party members, including Sanjay Nirupam, issued threats to Kamra. Nirupam, in a social media post, said, “We will teach Kunal Kamra a lesson tomorrow at 11 am.” Other party members, including Naresh Mhaske, made similar statements, warning the comedian of dire consequences. Mhaske said, “Kamra is a contract comedian. But he should not have stepped on the tail of a snake. Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences.”
MLA Murji Patel Threatens Kamra
Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) spokesperson Krishna Hegde condemned Kamra’s jokes, stating that the party’s workers were angered by his comments. He added, “The comedian will receive ‘Shiv Sena treatment’.” Further, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel threatened to paint Kamra’s face black and prevent him from moving freely in Mumbai unless he apologised to Shinde.
In the wake of the attacks, Kamra’s supporters in the opposition expressed solidarity. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the law enforcement response, calling out the Shiv Sena faction’s handling of the issue. He tweeted, “Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian Kunal Kamra put out a song on Eknath Mindhe which was 100% true.”
Kamra Receives Support from Shiv Sena (UBT)
On the other hand, the controversy has caught the attention of other political figures as well. Priyanka Chaturvedi from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) supported Kamra, urging him to stay strong. She wrote, “The man & the gang you exposed will go after you & so will his bikau people, but do understand the residents of the state share this sentiment!”
Meanwhile, a protest by the youth wing of Shiv Sena (Yuva Sena) took place outside Wagle Estate Police Station in Thane, where demonstrators burned Kamra’s photographs. Amidst all this, an FIR was also filed against 19 Shiv Sena workers for vandalising the Unicontinental Hotel.
Kamra’s Show Highlights Political Chaos
Kamra’s stand-up show had ironically highlighted the recent turmoil in Maharashtra politics, including the Shiv Sena-NCP split and the ensuing political chaos. His mockery of the shifting alliances within the state was a pointed commentary on the complexities of regional politics. The controversy has ignited a larger debate on freedom of speech, political satire, and the limits of humour in an increasingly polarised political climate.
As the situation unfolds, Kamra’s defenders continue to advocate for the comedian’s right to express his views, with many pointing to the rising trend of using violence and intimidation to silence dissent in the name of political loyalty.