Mumbai: Mumbai Police have escalated their investigation into stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, demanding his immediate appearance for questioning over a recent performance that has ignited a significant political firestorm. The 36-year-old comedian has been instructed to report to authorities on Monday, with police rejecting his request for a week-long deferral.
The controversy stems from a performance at Mumbai's Habitat studio, where Kamra delivered a satirical parody targeting Eknath Shinde, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. Using a parody of the classic Bollywood song "Bholi Si Surat" from the 1997 film Dil To Pagal Hai, Kamra employed the term 'gaddar' (traitor) to criticize Shinde's political maneuvers that led to the collapse of Uddhav Thackeray's government in 2022.
The performance triggered an immediate and dramatic response from Shiv Sena supporters. Activists descended on the Habitat studio in Khar, damaging equipment and creating a significant disturbance. The situation escalated further when civic officials conducted an unannounced demolition at the venue, citing building law violations.
Kamra has remained defiant in the face of mounting pressure. He has consistently maintained that neither the studio nor any political party bears responsibility for his performance. In a statement on social media platform X, he likened the studio's targeting to the absurdity of overturning a tomato truck because of dissatisfaction with butter chicken.
The comedian claims to have been receiving consistent threat calls from Shinde's supporters and has raised serious questions about the selective application of law enforcement. He has emphasized his willingness to cooperate with police and courts while simultaneously challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken against him and the studio.
The political landscape has been further complicated by divergent responses from key political figures. While Shinde has suggested the performance was politically motivated, his former ally Uddhav Thackeray has defended Kamra, arguing that the comedian's remarks were justified.
Kamra faces multiple charges, including defamation and making statements conducive to public mischief. The studio's management has announced a temporary closure, stating they merely provide a venue and have no control over the content of performances.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the incident has raised critical questions about artistic freedom, political tolerance, and the boundaries of comedic expression in contemporary Indian society. The upcoming police questioning is expected to bring further developments to this rapidly evolving situation.
