“Your Inability To Take A Joke...”: Kunal Kamra Refuses To Apologise Amid ‘Gaddar’ Row In Mumbai
Comedian Kunal Kamra has released his first statement amid the political slugfest over his latest stand-up show in Mumbai.
Comedian Kunal Kamra has released his first statement amid the political slugfest over his latest stand-up show in Mumbai. All hell broke loose after Kunal Kamra's latest gig was uploaded on his YouTube channel. In his act, Kunal Kamra mocked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The Shiv Sena didn't take kindly to the insult hurled towards Eknath Shinde and acts of vandalism were reported in Mumbai.
Kunal Kamra has now shared his first statement, refusing to apologise for his remarks, saying he will not bow down to the mob that has been targeting him.
“Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right,” Kunal Kamra said in his statement.
“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,” he added.
Check out his statement here:
For the unversed, during his latest stand-up act ‘Naya Bharat’, Kunal Kamra featured a parody song, referring to Eknath Shinde leaving the Shiv Sena in 2022. He also used the term “gaddar”. In his stand-up act, the comedian also branded PM Modi a ‘tanashah’ (dictator) and a ‘dogla’ (hypocrite), delivering his political satire through music. Kunal Kamra reworked Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic song ‘Badshah O Badshah’ from the film ‘Badshah’ to take a dig at the Prime Minister.
Shiv Sena workers vandalised the Habitat Centre in Khar, Mumbai, where the event was held. An FIR has also been registered against the comedian.
On Monday, parts of the Habitat Centre were also demolished by the BMC.
“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. Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served,” Kunal Kamra wrote.
“To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me incessantly: I am sure you’ve realised by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate," he added.
This is not the first time that Kunal Kamra has been embroiled in a controversy over making political jokes. There have been numerous occasions where Kunal Kamra has faced FIRs.
